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REYNOLDS' HISTORY OF ILLINOIS. 



]I^YOniI]Tin]Eg: 



EMBRACING ALSO 



THE HISTORY OF MY LIFE. 



/ 
By JOHN REYNOLDS, 

Late Governor of Illinois, Member of Congress, State Senator, and 
Representative, Etc., Etc. 



"Wisdom is the great end of history. — Blair. 








■ ">-> 



CHICAGO: 
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY, 

244-8 ILLINOIS STREET. 

1879. 

7 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in th^ year 1879, by 

Fergus Printing Company, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 






PUBLISHERS' ARGUMENT. 



No volume can scarcely be of greater interest and value than one 
tracing the early growth, and reciting the early history, of a Common- 
wealth or a Nation. It need not necessarily be a ponderous tome 
replete with those hard facts which seem to stand against one's vision 
like a great wall into which is cut the bare, cold records of accomplish- 
ment. It may be crudely told. It may be little and modest, and even 
to the great world quite unknown. But it should glow jvith the charm 
surrounding recitals of the every-day experience of those men whose 
lives are passed in molding the growth, character, and even destiny, of 
States or Countries, whose true history is thus brightened in detail and 
heightened by the fascination of reminiscence. 

For these reasons perhaps no work, written by any citizen of the 
West, ever deserved so wide a reading and preservation, and was yet 
so Uttle known, as "My Own Times", or "Reynolds' History of 
Illinois", by the late Governor John Reynolds, which has been re- 
claimed from obscurity, and, with considerable correction and revision, 
is reproduced in the subjoined pages. 

Not only did "My Own Times" possess charming interest from the 
blunt truthfulness of its author, "Old Ranger", as he was known 
throughout the West in the earlier political days; from the honest fideli- 
ty with which the most trifling incident is related; in the picturesque 
grouping of personal experiences with profound events; in the fine 
blending of men, manners, and means that so strikingly predominate 
in periods of sectional infancy and the swift changes wrought by aggres- 
sive civilization; but a more important value obtains in its absolute his- 
torical worth. 

Governor Reynolds passed nearly half a century in most prominent 
public life. As a "Ranger" in 1813; as Judge Advocate in 1814; as 
an Illinois Supreme Court Judge; as a member of the Illinois General 
Assembly; as Governor of Illinois; as a Representative in Congress for 
seven years, and never absent from his seat during session; as lUmois 
Canal Commissioner; and finally, as Si>eaker of the Illinois House;— 
and all this from the early part of the present century until beyond its 
noon; — his strong, aggressive, manly nature and life were most power- 
ful factors in this period of wonderful transition to Illinois and the West. 

"My Own Times" thus became an epitome of those days, of their 
remarkable measures, of their marvelous changes, and a record of many 
of their great men. 



publishers' argument. 

But brilliant and strong a man as was Governor Reynolds, he knew 
little of book-making; less, of book-selling. The manuscript of the 
work was taken to a little "job office" at Bellville, 111., in 1854-5. It 
is thought that but four hundred copies were issued. They were 
printed from a common hand-press, and the typography was a miracle 
of wretchedness. The result was, "My Own Times" remained un- 
known. 

One autumn-day in 1855, as Mr. D. B. Cooke, then Chicago's leading 
bookseller and publisher, was standing in the entrance 10 his establish- 
ment, a dray laden with shoe-boxes was backed against the curbing. 
Perched upon the load sat a tall, gaunt, odd-looking individual who 
immediately alighted, strode into the store, and, with considerable pro- 
fanity, inquired for the proprietor. Making himself known he was in- 
formed in strong language that his visitor was no less than Governor 
Reynolds, and, in still stronger language, that he had written a book. 
The book would not sell. It must sell. He had boxed up every copy 
and brought them along. 

Mr. Cooke immediately gave his receipt for about three hundred and 
fifty copies of "My Own Times", and the emphatic author was driven 
away upon the trundling dray quite oblivious to the curious crowd his 
coming had attracted. 

On October 19, 1857, two years later, Chicago suffered from its then 
greatest conflagration. A very large amount of property was destroyed, 
and the lives of twenty-three firemen and prominent citizens were lost 
in their efforts to stay the flames. The publication -house referred to 
was also burned and with it nearly every existing copy of Governor 
Reynolds' work, but a trifling number having been sold. Chicago's 
great fire of 187 1 nearly completed the Avork of annihilating the original 
edition. Copies of the same were not to be found save at such prices 
as would cause the possibly remaining dozen, to realize a larger total 
sum than the entire Bellville edition would have brought when issued. 

The Chicago Historical Society, which is an indefatigable search- 
er after historical treasures and rare works, has not previously possessed 
a copy; and for such reasons as have been given, "My Own Times", 
to which has been added a very full and complete index, has been 
re[)roduccd, it is hoped, in a much more attractive and lasting form, 
not only for the purpose of supplying the Chicago Historical Society 
and its members, but to assist in perpetuating the history of the great 
Commonwealth of Illinois, and the name of one whose public life has 
added no little strength and lustre to her great power and splendor. 



INTRODUCTION 



An introduction to a new work may be necessary to place it in a 
proper position before the public, and to effect this object, the writer 
presents the following: 

I St. The motives inducing the author to write this volume. 

The leading object of the writer is to record facts and the progress 
of events, which may do service to the present and future generations. 
The rise and progress of a great country is, and always will be interest- 
ing to an intelligent and enlightened public. The valley of the Mis- 
sissippi is fast becoming an important and interesting country, and in 
it the State of Illinois is assuming a very high character. The im- 
portant facts and pubHc measures that had a tendency to develop the 
resources of this great State, and to advance its growth and prosperity^ 
will always be interesting and, the writer hopes, servicable to the 
people. 

The author has incorporated in this work sketches of the history of 
his life. The official stations of the writer have been so long, in so 
intimately identified with the rise and progress of Illinois, that these 
sketches seemed to form an humble portion of the history of the 
country and therefore are presented in the history of his own times. 

These sketches may also serve to show the public, by the example of 
the author, that every individual in the State has it in his power, under 
the most adverse circumstances, to obtain an education. 

2nd. The qualifications for the work. 

The main qualification of the writer in presenting this volume to the 
public is, his long residence in Illinois, and the various public positions 
held in the State. He has resided in the country since the year 1800, 
and has been, during all that long period, an attentive observer of 
public and private events, which he hopes has enabled him to record, 
with truth and accuracy, the most important facts of his own times. 

Another qualification is his calm and quiet retreat from the timnoils 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

and conflicts of politics, so that the work, he hopes, records the true 
history of the times, without prejudice or partiality. 

A negative qualification also existed with the author, that he was not 
employed in any other business or occupation, and the writing of this 
work afforded him an interesting and agreeable employment. 

3d. The spirit of the work. 

On all appropriate occasions, arising out of the facts narrated in the 
work, the author has made short pertinant remarks enforcing respect- 
fully on the public, morality and religion, without which no people 
can be prosperous and happy. At the same time he has with equal 
effort urged the propriety to dispell from their breasts the savage and 
bitter feeUngs which unfortunately exist at times among the different 
religious denominations. Also, he has urged on the public the im- 
portance of education, without which no people can be great or happy, 
or can a nation exist as a Republic for any length of time. 

The writer of this volume has likewise attempted to draw the atten- 
tion of the people to the obedience of the laws of the country and to 
execute them with fidelity on all occasions. 

These are a few of the outlines of the spirit of the work; but the 
work itself must on this subject, as well as on all others, speak for 
itself. 

With this short introduction the writer submits this volume to the 

public. 

THE AUTHOR. 
Illinois, July 4th, 1855. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Introduction, "i 

CHAPTER I. 
Early Education forms to a great extent the Character. — The 
place of the Nativity of the Author, i 

CHAPTER n. 

The Emigration of the Author's Father to Tennessef*. — Indian 
Wars. — The murder of George Mann, in 1794, by the Indians,. 3 

CHAPTER HI. 
The Early Pursuits and Impressions of the Author. — His Visit 
to the Ancient Domicile of his Parents in Tennessee. — His in- 
tense feelings on Seeing the Scenes of his Infancy.— His first 

School Teachers, 5 

CHAPTER IV. 
The Early Habits, Dress, and Amusements in Tennessee.— Barring 

Out the School Teacher, 7 

CHAPTER V. 
Early History and Commerce of Tennessee, 10 

CHAPTER VI. 
The Emigration of the Author's Father from Tennessee to Kas- 
kaskia, Illinois. — Fort Massacre, ^3 

CHAPTER VII. 

First View of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia.— The Indians.— My 
Father Disliked the Spanish Government— Remained in Illinois, 1 7 

CHAPTER VIII. 
lUinois in 1800.— The White Population. — The Indian Tribes.— 
Hard Fate of the Aborgines.— Want of Schools and Churches. 
—Agriculture— Farming Implements.— Mills.— Counties.— Gov- 
ernment, -^9 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE, 

CHAPTER IX. 

Wilderness in the West in 1800.— The Soil and Surface of Illi- 
nois. — The Prairies. — Is Timber an Advantage to the Country? 24. 

CHAPTER X. 
Fort Chartres. — Its History. — Built of Wood in 17 18. — Rebuilt of 
Rock in 1756. — The French Abandon it in 1765. — British Seat 
of Government. — Walls Washed down in 1772. — A heap of 
Ruins in 1855, 26 

CHAPTER XI. 
Fort Jefferson. — Its History. — Sketch of Captain Piggot's Life. — 
Sickness of the Garrison. — Indian Assaults. — Heroic Defence. 
— Abandonment of the Fort. — Piggot's Fort. — The Ferry oppo- 
site St. Louis, Missouri, . 32 >^ 

CHAPTER XII. 
The French in 1800. — A Different Population.— Devout Chris- 
tians. — A Happy People. — Observance of the Sabbath. — Fond 
of Dancing. — Dress. — Taste for the Fashions. — No Ambition 
for Athletic Sports, 36 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Americans in 1800, and some years thereafter. — Emigrants 
from the South and West. — Exalted Notions of Freedom and 
Independence. — Self-Reliance. — Different Employments. — Rais- 
ing Cabins. — Family in the House the same day it was Raised. 
— Frolics. — Amusements. — Dancing. — Running for the Bottle 
at a Wedding. — The Dress of the People. — Factory Goods 
came to lUinois in 1816 and 181 8, 40 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Progress of the Country for five years from 1800.— Sickness. 
■ — "Seasoning" of Emigrants. — Settlements, Ridge Prairie. — 
Goshen. — Name of Goshen. — Blair on the Site of Belleville. — 
Settlements East and South-West of Belleville. — Colonies in 
Horse Prairie, East of Kaskaskia. — The French Colonies. — 
Pioneer-Squatters on the Public Lands. — Murders by the In- 
dians. — New Mill. — Shawneetown. — Saline Purchased of the In- 
dians. — Shawneetown Commenced. — Mr. Bell Leased the Sa- 
line. — Big Bay. — Daniel's and Wood-River Settlements Com- 
menced. — Wilderness Yields to Improvements. — Population, . . 44 

CHAPTER XV. 
The Morals of the Illinois Pioneers, 46 



CONTENTS. .vii 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Gaming and Sports of the Pioneers of Illinois. — Cards. — Loo. — 
Shooting Matches. — A Keg of Whiskey. — Metheglin. — Horse 
'and Foot-Races. — The Author Engaged in Racing. — Working 
Frolics. — Females Attend, 51 

CHAPTER XVn. 
Hunting and Fowling in Illinois, 54 

CHAPTER XVni. 

Agriculture and Commerce in the Pioneer Times of Illinois. — 
Not much Agriculture and Commerce at the commencement 
of the present Century. — Commenced to sow Fall Wheat at the 
New Design. — Sickles. — ^No Cradles, no Horse-Reapers, no 
charge for Reaping. — French raised Spring Wheat. — A Dollar a 
Bushel for Wheat. — Cut Prairie Grass for Hay. — French Barns. 
— Produce to New Orleans. — Lead. — Stock. — Indian Goods. — 
All Commerce by Water. — No Land Carriage, no Roads. — Rail- 
roads add much to Commerce, 56 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Early Education in Illinois. — The Author's first Acquaintance with 
the Arithmetic. — At a Common-School in the Winter. — Studies 
Astronomy. — Studies Surveying and Navigation. — Traits of 
Character Developed, 58 

CHAPTER XX. 
The Increase of Population and the Extension of the Settlements 
in Illinois from 1805 to 1809, the Time of the Formation of 
IlUnois Territory. — Great Mound. — The Monks of La Trappe. 
— Shawneetown Increased, 61 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Early Life of the Author. — His Education. — Camp-meeting. 
The Jerks. — Militia Discipline. — The Fourth of July, 64 

CHAPTER XXII. 
Early Government of Illinois. — In 1800, down to 1809, Illinois 
formed a part of Indiana Territory. — Establishment of St. Clair 
and Randolph Counties. — Judges of the Court. — Jurisdiction of 
Courts and Justices of the Peace. — First Lawyers. — Election in 
1802. — Assembly Convened at Vincennes to Suggest Measures. 
— Contrast in the Travel to Vincennes in 1802 on Horseback, 
and in 1855 by Railroad, 66 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
My Journey to the College in Tennessee. — A Letter from Ten- 
nessee decides me for the College. — Preparations. — Diffidence,. 67 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
My First Year at College. — The Preceptor. — The Books I Read,. 70 

CHAPTER XXV. 
The Second Year at College. — The Scenes at College. — General 
Houston, of Texas, at the Same Institution. — Commenced 
Reading Law. — Studied Intensely. — Became Sick. — Quit Study. 
— Returned to IlHnois, 74 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
The Summer of 181 1. — Miscellaneous. — My Return to Illinois. — 
My Health. — Indian Disturbance. — Indications of War. — Forts 
Built. — Captain Levering at Peoria to Sound the Indians. — The 
Comet. — The Earthquake. — Sports and Horse-Racing, 76 

CHAPTER XXVIL 
My Return to College and to the Law-School in Knoxville, Tenn. 
— Hugh L. White and Jenkin Whiteside. — General Gaines and 
Recruits in Knoxville. — Last Foot-Race of the Author, 80 

CHAPTER XXVIIL 

The War of 181 2 with Great Britain and her Indian Allies in Illi- 
nois. — Hostile Spirit of the Indians. — Rangers around the Fron- 
tiers. — Forts. — Troops Organized. — Camp Russell. — Extended 
Frontier. — Dixon and his Warriors. — Gomo, a Chief, met Gov. 
Edwards in Council. — Tecumseh at Vincennes. — Murders Com- 
mitted. — Hill's Fort Attacked. — Belleview Defended. — Fort La 
Motte Erected above Vincennes. — Rangers Established. — Col. 
Russell. — Massacre at Chicago. — Taylor's Battle at Fort Harri- 
son. — A Pottawatomie Warrior Killed a White Man on a Boat,. 81 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Edward's Campaign against the Indians to the Eastern Extremity 
of Lake Peoria. — Organization ot the Army. — March to the 
Peoria Lake. — Met two Indians. — One Indian and a White 
Man Killed. — Routed the Indians out of the Town. — Killed sev- 
eral in the Swamps. — The Army Returns the same Evening. — 
Captain Craig Destroyed Peoria and Carries off the Inhabitants. 
— General Hopkins Fails to Reach Illinois River. — Edwards 
and Army Return to Camp Russell, 86 



CONTENTS. IX 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER XXX. 

The War in Illinois in 1812. — Ranging Companies Organized. — 
The Author Became a Ranger. — Soldier Amusements. — Mur- 

' vders by the Indians. — Gen. Howard's Campaign. — Army Organ- 
ized. — Marched Up the Mississippi River. — A Soldier Killed at 
Peoria. — Built Fort Clark. — Skirmishes on Lake Peoria. — Tricks 
of Murdick, 91 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

The War with Great Britain Continued, and Concluded in 1814. 
— The Author Appointed Judge Advocate. — The Militia Or- 
ganized for Service. — Many Murders Committed by the Indians. 
— Capt. Short's Battle with the Indians. — Gov. Clarke's Expe- 
dition to Prairie du Chien. — The Garrison Captured there. — 
Campbell's Expedition to Rock Island. — The Battle at Rock 
Island. — Another Expedition to Rock Island under Major Tay- 
lor. — A Battle, and the Troops Forced Back Down the River. 
— Build Fort Edwards, 97 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

The Government of Illinois. — Judges Revised the Statute Laws. 
— Duties of Governor Edwards. — Amusements at Courts. — 
Scott's Trick on McMahon at Cahokia. — Illinois Territory Es- 
tablished. — Counties Created. — Second Grade of Government 
Adopted. — First Legislature. — The General Assembly Sat An- 
nually at Kaskaskia. — Delegates to Congress, 103 

CHAPTER XXXIH. 

Miscellaneous. — Expedition of Lewis and Clark to the Pacific 
Ocean. — The Cold Friday in 1805. — A Tornado in 1805. — 
The Author Studied the French Language. — Names of Places. 
— How they Originated, 106 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Sketch of the Author's Life. — Acting for Himself — First Practice 
of the Law. — Traffic in Land. — Merchandise. — Conveyance of 
Money from Vincennes to St. Louis. — Small Law-Library, 109 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
Extension of the Settlements. — Improvements. — Agriculture. — 
Commerce. — Commerce to New Mexico, — iii 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
Regulators in Illinois. — Regulating Company Organized in St. Clair 
Co. — Mob-Law in 1831, on the Ohio River. — In Edgar County 



X CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Lynch-Law was Established. — In Ogle County a Horrid Tragedy 
was Enacted in 1841. — A Case in Madison County. — Cases in 
Pope and Massacre Counties in 1 846. — Public Opinion should 
Condemn Mob-Law, 113 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Early Religion in Illinois. — The Roman Catholic Denomination. — 
The Jesuit Missionaries Founded Kaskaskia and Cahokia. — 
The Rev. Mr. Oliver, of Prairie du Rocher. — The Creed of 
the Roman Catholic Church. — Christian Creeds are Substan- 
tially the Same. — Roman Catholic Statistics, 116 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
Early Methodist Denomination in Illinois. — The Reverend Joseph 
Lillard, First Methodist Preacher in Illinois in 1793. — The Early 
Clergymen. — Hosea Riggs, Benjamin Young, Chas. R. Matheny, 
Thomas Harrison, Jesse Walker, Peter Cartwright. — The Meth- 
odist Statistics, - 118 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

The Early Baptist Denomination in Illinois. — Ministers of the Gos- 
pel in the Baptist Churches. — James Smith, John K. Simpson 
and Son, Josiah Dodge, James Lemen, Sr. and Sons, Joseph 
Chance and Son, John Clark, William Jones, Dr. John M. Peck, 
Deacon Smith, George Wolf — Baptist Churches. — Baptist Sta- 
tistics. — William Kinney. — Linley in Sangamon County, 123 

CHAPTER XL. 

The Early Presbyterian Churches in Illinois. — The Rev. Samuel 
Wylie. — His Church Refused to Vote. — Presbyterian Church in 
Bond County. — One at Galena. — The Rev. Mr. Kent. — Cum- 
berland Presbyterians in White County. — Presbyterian Statistics, 127 

CHAPTER XLI. 
Professional Men in Illinois Territory. — Lawyers and Physicians, . 128 

CHAPTER XLII. 
The Domestic Relations of the Author, 131 

CHAPTER XLIII. 
Slavery Existed in Illinois before 1787. — The Ordinance of that 
year Prevented it. — Indentured Servants.— The State Constitu- 
tion Prohibits Slavery in the State, 132 

CHAPTER XLIV. 
Organization of the State Government in 181 8, and Election of 
the Officers, 133 



CONTENTS. xi 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER XLV. 
The First Session of the General Assembly Revised the Statute 
Laws, and Adapted them to the State Government. — The Canal. 
> — Organization of the J udicial Circuits, 136 

CHAPTER XLVI. 
The Judiciary of the State. — Opening Court. — Members of the Bar, 137 

CHAPTER XLVn. 
Trials of Murder in the Courts wherein I Presided. — Short and 
Fike. — William Bennett. — EKphalet Green. — An Indian in Pike 
County. — Bottsford, at Vandalia, 138 

CHAPTER XLVni. 
Early Banks of Illinois. — Dearth of Money. — Relief — A State 
Bank. — Stay-laws. — Loan to Wind up the State Bank, 142 

CHAPTER XLIX. 
The Public Debt to the General Government for the Lands Pur- 
chased. — Relief — Large Debt. — Land System changed. — Credit 
for Public Land abolished. — Col. Johnson, of Kentucky, first to 
give Relief — His Character.— General Relief granted, and the 
relation of Debtor and Creditor destroyed, 144 

CHAPTER L. 
Slavery Agitation in Illinois. — Election of Hon. D. P. Cook to 
Congress, 146 

CHAPTER LL 
Artificial Mounds in Illinois, and all over the West. — Big Mound 
in the American Bottom, and Others. — The Grand Tower.— 
Marrais d'Ogee, 147 

CHAPTER LIL 
The Further Extension of the Settlements. — Peoria County Cre- 
ated. — The Diamond Grove. — The Indian Name of Sangamon. 
— More Counties Formed. — Tobacco and Castor -Beans in the 
South of Illinois. — Train Oil at Peoria, 149 

CHAPTER LIH. 
Convention to Introduce Slavery into Illinois. — Revolutionary Pro- 
ceedings in the Legislature. — Excited Discussion. — Parties Ar- 
rayed. — Pubhc Journals Issued Flaming Documents. — About 
Eighteen Hundred Votes Majority Against the Call ot a Conven- 
tion, 152 



Xll CONTENTS. 

PAGE, 

CHAPTER LIV. 
The Land -Law and Tenures of Lands in Illinois, 155 

CHAPTER LV. 

Fun and Frolic in Primitive Illinois, 157 

CHAPTER LVL 
The Early Elections in Illinois for Governor and other Offi- 
cers. — Re-organization of the Judiciary, 158 

CHAPTER LVIL 

Presidential Election in 1 824, 160 

CHAPTER LVHL 
Parties Commenced in Illinois. — Election of Joseph Duncan to 
Congress, _ 162 

CHAPTER LIX. 
The Arrival of General LaFayette in the United States in 1824. 
— His Visit to Illinois in 1825, — 164 

CHAPTER LX. 
The Author Practises Law. — Is Elected for the First Time to 
the General Assembly in 1826, 165 

CHAPTER LXL 
The Election of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois in 
1826, 166 

CHAPTER LXn. 
Galena. — The Lead Mines in Illinois. — James Johnson Leased 
the Mines. — Morality of Galena. — Duel with Rocks. — Nick- 
names. — " Joe Davis " County. — Fever River, 168 

CHAPTER LXHL 
The Author a Member of the General Assembly of the State in 
1826 and 1827. — General Assembly. — Their Names. — The 
Penitentiary, 171 

CHAPTER LXIV. 

Re-organization of the Judiciary. — Revision of the Statute-Laws. 
— Defining the Instruction of the Court to the Jury. — The Selec- 
tion of Juries. — The Viva Voce Election in the Legislature. — 
Resolution Recommending Andrew Jackson for President. 174. 

CHAPTER LXV. 
The Winnebago War. — Cause of the War. — The Whites Alarmed. 



CONTENTS. xiil 

PAGE. 

— General Dodge and Samuel Whitesides Command Com- 
panies. — General Atkinson takes Red Bird, the Winnebago 
Chief. — Colonel Neal Commands a Regiment, 177 

CHAPTER LXVI. 
The Author Practises Law. — Party Spirit. — ^Jos. Duncan Elected 
to Congress, and the Author to the State Legislature. — The 
Names of the Members of the General Assembly. — Joint Com- 
mittee to Revise the Statutes. — School Lands Sold. — Common 
Schools. — Canal Commissioners, 179 

CHAPTER LXVn. 
The European Immigration in Illinois, 182 

CHAPTER LXVIII. 
The Canvass for Governor of the State between Governor Kinney 
and the Author, 184 

CHAPTER LXIX. 
The Author's Administration of the Government of the State. — 
Friendship to Opponents. — The First Message. — Education. — 
Internal Improvements. — The Canal. — The Harbor at Chicago. 
— Improvement of the Rivers by Congress. — Penitentiary. — 
PubHc Lands. — The Judiciary, 192 

CHAPTER LXX. 
Continuation of the State Administration by the Author. — Mixture 
of Party. — Election of Treasurer. — Prosecuting Attorneys. — 
Signs of the Black- Hawk War. — Counties Formed. — Northern 
Boundary of the State. — The Canal, 20C' 

CHAPTER LXXI. 

The Black- Hawk War.— Sketch of the Life of the Indian War- 
rior, Black Hawk. — He Attacks Fort Madison in 181 1. — Joins 
the British, in Canada, Against the Americans, in 1812, in the 
late War with Britain. — He is in many Battles against the Ameri- 
cans, on the Mississippi, in the same War, 203 

CHAPTER LXXn. 
The Black-Hawk War Continued.— The Cause of the War.— The 
Hostility of the British Band of Sac and Fox Indians to the 
Whites. — Petitions and Affidavits Proving the Facts. — Com- 
pelled to Call Out Troops to Defend the Citizens. — Regret the 
Necessity, 206 



xiv CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER LXXIIL 

War. — Call on the Militia on the 26th of May. — They meet at 
Beardstown on the loth of June. — Letters to General Gaines and 
Governor Clark. — Their Answers. — The Speedy Appearance of 
a Large Army Deters the Surrounding Indians, 209 

CHAPTER LXXIV. 
The Organization of the Volunteers North of Beardstown. — Pro- 
cured Arms and Provisions. — Respectable and Distinguished 
Citizens Joined the Army, 212 

CHAPTER LXXV. 
March to Rock Island. — Black Hawk and Tribe Abandon their 
Village. — The Volunteers Occupy the Sac Village. — Treaty 
with Black Hawk and Warriors, 214 

CHAPTER LXXVL 
Volunteers Camped on the Site of the Present Town of Stephen- 
son. — Stampede with the Horses. — Treaty with Black Hawk 
and Warriors, - 216 

CHAPTER LXXVH. 
The Close of the First Campaign in the Black-Hawk War. — The 
Army Disbanded. — Corn and Provisions Given to the Indians. 
— Scenery of Rock Island. — The Indian Villages. — Indian 
Tradition. — A White Spirit, 220 

CHAPTER LXXVHL 

The Black- Hawk War in 1832. — The British Band of Indians In- 
vade the State. — Another Call on the Volunteers. — A Requisi- 
tion by Gen. Atkinson, of the United States Army, 222 

CHAPTER LXXIX. 
A Call on the Volunteers, 223 

CHAPTER LXXX. 
The Army Marched to the Mississippi. — Swim Henderson River 
on the Route. — Army out of Provisions. — Boat Arrives with 
Supplies. — March to Rock Island, 226 

CHAPTER LXXXL 
Volunteers Received into the LTnited States Service. — March up 
Rock River. — General Atkinson in Command. — Arrive at Dix- 
on. — Orders to Major Stillman, 228 

CHAPTER LXXXH. 
Stillman's March. — Battle and Retreat. — Eleven White Men and 
Eight Indians Killed, 231 



CONTENTS. XV 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER LXXXIII. 
A Call for Two Thousand Volunteers. — The Army March to the 
Battle Ground and Bury the Dead. — The Volunteers Return to 
Dixon, 235 

CHAPTER LXXXIV. 
The whole Army March in Pursuit of the Indians. — Return Home 
by Ottawa, 236 

CHAPTER LXXXV. 
The Army Returned Home. — Discharged at Ottawa. — A Regi- 
ment Volunteered to Guard the Frontier. — Capt. Snyder's Bat- 
tle with the Indians, 238 

CHAPTER LXXXVI. 
Indian Depredations. — Attack of Apple-Creek Fort. — Brilliant Vic- 
tory of Gen. Dodge. — Capt. Stephenson's Battle, 243 

CHAPTER LXXXVn. 
Arrival of the Troops on the Frontiers. — Organization of the New 
Army. — Major Dement's Battle, 244 

CHAPTER LXXXVHI. 
Army March to Dixon. — Posey's Brigade Ordered to Fort Hamil- 
ton. — Alexander's toward the Mississippi. — Atkinson, Regulars 
and Volunteers, March up Rock River. — Find no Indians. — 
Army Disperse for Provisions, 250 

CHAPTER LXXXIX. 
Sketch of the Life and Character of James D. Henry. — The Horse 
Stampede, - 253 

CHAPTER XC. 
Gen. Henry, in Violation of Orders, Decides to March in Pur- 
suit of the Indians.- — Puts Down a Disturbance Among the 
Volunteers — Found the Trail of Black Hawk.— Left the Heavy 
Baggage, 255 

CHAPTER XCL 
Gen. Henry and Major Dodge, with their Respective Troops, in 
Hot Chase of Black Hawk and Band. — Thunder Storm. — The 
Four Lakes. — Battle of the Wisconsin, 258 

CHAPTER XCH. 

The Army Cross the Wisconsin River at Helena. — Order of 
March. — Bad Roads. — In a Few Days they Reach the Missis- 



xvi CONTENTS, 

PAGE. 

sippi. — Battle of the Bad Axe. — Steamboat Black Warrior Fires 

on the Indians. — The War Closed, 263 

CHAPTER XCIII. 
Troops Guarding the Frontiers Discharged. — Peace Restored. — 
Treaties Concluded. — Session of Land Whereon the State of 
Iowa and a part of Wisconsin is Formed, 266 

CHAPTER XCIV. 
Congressional Elections. — Distinguished Members of the Legisla- 
ture. — The Second Message of the Author. — Nullification. — 
President Jackson's Proclamation. — Fugitive Slave-Law. — Non- 
Execution.— Impeachment of Judge Smith, 268 

CHAPTER XCV. 
The Early Institutions of Learning in Illinois. — Rock-Spring Semi- 
nary. — McKendre College, at Lebanon. — IlHnois College. — 
Seminaries at Hillsborough, Springfield, and Paris. — Mr. Wy- 
man's High School in St. Louis, 273 

CHAPTER XCVL 

Early Literature in Illinois. — Morris Birkbeck, Esq. — Dr. Lewis 
C. Beck. — Dr. John M. Peck. — Hon. James Hall. — Hon, 
Sidney Breese. — Prof. John Russell. — The Venomous Worm. — 
Mr. M. Tarver. — The Western Journal and Civilian. — Anti- 
quarian Historical Society at Vandalia, 276 

CHAPTER XCVH. 
Improvements of the Country. — The Author Offers for Congress, 
— Is Elected. — Mr. Snyder and Mr. Humphries his Opponents. 
— Gov. Kinney and Gen. Duncan Offers for Governor. — Dun- 
can is Elected. — The Hon. Mr. Slade, the Member in Congress, 
Dies, and the Author is Elected in his Place, 282 

CHAPTER XCVni. 
The Author a Member of Congress. — It is Difficult to Effect much 
■^ in that Body. — Character of David Crockett. — City of Balti- 
more. — City of Washington. — President Jackson and the Au- 
gustan Age of Congress, 285 

CHAPTER XCIX. 
Party-Spirit in Congress. — The Globe a.n^ Litdligencer Newspapers. 
— Eminent Men in Congress. — Party-Spirit, when it is Sec- 
tional, is Dangerous and Wrong, 288 



CONTENTS. XVll 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER C. 
Sketch of the Life and Character of General Jackson, — Anecdote 
of Him with the Child and Lamb. — Sketch of Henry Clay. — 
The Principles of the Whig and Democratic Parties, 290 

CHAPTER CL 
Measures in Congress in 1834-5. — The Bank of the United States. 
— The French Spoliations. — The viva-voce Resolution of the 
Author. — Northern Boundary of Illinois. — Hon. T. Burges, ... 295 

CHAPTER Cn. 
Executive Influence. — Proscription for Opinion's Sake. — Exe- 
cutive Power of Removals from Office. — The Convention Sys- 
tem. — The Life of President Jackson Assailed, 303 

CHAPTER CHI. 
The Eulogy of Mr. Adams on Gen. La Fayette. — Sketch of Ex- 
President John Q. Adams, - 307 

CHAPTER CIV. 

The Military Academy at West Point, 310 

CHAPTER CV. 
Further Proceedings in Congress. — The Admission of the Terri- 
tories of Michigan and Arkansas into the Union as States. — A 
Torpedo in the Potomac River. — A Visit to Washington's 
Tomb. — The Key of the Bastile of France. — A Tide- Water 
■ Joke on the Author. — The Author in Congress Seven Years 
and Eight Sessions. — The General Duties the Author Performed 
in Congress, 3^2 

CHAPTER CVI. 
The Author Marries in the District of Columbia. — Out of Con- 
gress Two Years. — The Lovejoy Riot at Alton, 317 

CHAPTER CVII. 
The First Railroad Constructed West of the Mountains by the 
Author and Others. — Other Railroads in Illinois, 321 

CHAPTER CVin. 
The Internal Improvements of the State in 1836. — Railroads. — 
The Canal, 323 

CHAPTER CIX. 

The Improvements and Growth of the Country. — In 1840, the 
^Vhole State was under Organized Government, and the Wilder- 



XVIU CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

ness Disappeared. — Indians Removed. — Indian Traits of Char- 
acter — George E. Walker's Command of the Indians, 326 

CHAPTER ex. 

The Election. — Governor Carlin. — He appointed the Author a 
Commissioner to make a Loan of Money for the Canal. — Ob- 
tains a Loan of a Million Dollars in Philadelphia. — Embarks for 
Europe. — Lands at Liverpool, England, 330 

CHAPTER CXL 
The First Sight of Europe to a Backwoodsman. — The English 
and French. — Liverpool. — St. James' Cemetery. — The Tunnel. 
— Railroad. — The Blue-Coat Boys. — The Blundells. — Buildings 
in Europe not Gay. — Statue of Lord Nelson. — Hotels in Eng- 
land not Gaudy, 334 

CHAPTER CXIL 
London. — Its Leading Features. — Its Size. — Its Wealth. — Its 
Antiquity. — In 1065, William the Conqueror gave it a Char- 
ter. — Old and New City. — St. Paul's Church. — Westminster 
Abbey. — Six Thousand Children in St. Paul's Church. — Bridges. 
— The Tunnel under the Thames. — Free Schools in London. 
— The Carriages in England, 337 

CHAPTER CXIIL 
Visit to Oxford. — Colleges. — Libraries. — Ancient Buildings. — 
Glass Broken by Cromwell. — Return to London. — The Tower 
of London. — The Parliament. — Lord Brougham. — Short 
Speeches. — The Courts. — Mayor's Court. — Government of 
London, 3 40 

CHAPTER CXIV. 
Visit to France. — Dover. — Lands at Boulogne. — Monument. — 
French Diligence, a Carriage. — Journey to Paris, 34 j 

CHAPTER CXV. 
City of Paris. — Public Buildings are Splendid and BriUiant. — 
Soldiers for the City Police. — Churches. — Palais Royal. — 
Louvre. — The Paintings. — Monument for Bonaparte. — Obe- 
lisk. — Parliament. — Garden of Plants. — Elysian Fields, 347 

CHAPTER CXVI. 

Exhibition of the Arts. — Horses, Carts, and Plows in France. — 
River Seine and the Bridges. — The Boulevard. — Mont de 



CONTENTS. XIX 

PAGE. 

Moulin. — Palace of St. Cloud. — French and English Ideas of 
Free Government. — Napoleon Much Respected. — Catacombs. 
— ^Weak Wine. — Dancing on the Sabbath 351 

CHAPTER CXVII. 

Left Paris. — Brussels. — Antwerp. — Cathedral at Antwerp. — Voy- 
age to London. — Windsor Castle. — The Curses of Monarchy. — 
Partial Loan of Money from the Banker, John Wright. — Travel 
from London to Bath and Bristol. — Voyage in the "Great West- 
ern" home to the United States. — A Storm on the Ocean, 355 

CHAPTER CXVHI. 

The Mormons. — Sketch of Joseph Smith, the Founder. — Pre- 
tended Vision. — The Angel. — Plates of Metal. — Translation. — 
Book of Mormon. — First Church EstabHshed. — Similarity of 
Smith to Mahomet and Cromwell, - 359 

CHAPTER CXIX. 

Mormons Called Themselves the "Latter-Day Saints." — Ardent 
and Devout. — Mormon Emigration to the Far West and Kirt- 
land. — Civil War in Missouri. — Horrid Murder of a Mormon 
Boy. — The Mormons Expelled from Missouri, 363 

CHAPTER CXX. 

Mormons Assembled in Nauvoo in Great Numbers. — Cause of Dis- 
satisfaction. — Excited Parties. — Mormons Could Turn the Scale. 
— Joseph Smith Introduced to the President. — His Person. — 
No Relief from Congress. — Charters from the Illinois Legisla- 
ture, - - 36^ 

CHAPTER CXXL 

The Mormon Corporation Abuse the Power Given Them. — Schism 
in the Church. — Press Destroyed. — Joseph and Hiram Smith 
Murdered in Jail. — Mormons Leave the State. — The Temple,.. 368 

CHAPTER CXXn. 

The Icarian Community. — Sketch of the Life M. Cabet, the 
Founder, 37^ 

CHAPTER CXXHL 
The System and Philosophy of the Icarian Community, 374 



XX CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER CXXIV. 
Preshets in the Mississippi River. — Calm in Politics. — Isms. — 
Mexican War. — The Author Elected Twice to the General As- 
sembly. — Elected Speaker of the House. — The General Occu- 
pation of the Author, 377 

CHAPTER CXXV. 
Improvements of the State, 381 



MY OWN TIMES. 



MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER I. 



Early Education forms to a great extent the Character. — The place of 
the nativity of the Author. 

Whoever attempts to write the history of his own times, of 
scenes in which he himself was an actor, should relate the story 
of his childhood. Such a relation is the key to his history. The 
circumstances that surrounded him in early years, leave their 
indelible impress upon his future character. In after life, other 
forms of society, and other scenes, may give a new direction to 
his actions, effecting a radical change in his manners, and appa- 
rently in his whole being. But, to the intelligent observer of 
human character, the impressions stamped upon his mind and 
heart in childhood, may be traced by their influence upon him, 
to the latest period of his existence. 

Who that is acquainted with the early history of Andrew 
Jackson will fail to discover the germ of his future character in 
the impressions given to his mind and heart, while he was yet a 
child, in the rude pine cottage of his widowed mother, on the 
borders of the Carolinas .■" She told him, with deep feeling, of 
the wrongs of her native Ireland, and taught him resistance to 
oppression, even to the knife. But far better still, she taught 
him, almost from infancy, to bow his knee in prayer, and to rev- 
erence that Unseen Power, whose goodness and love are never 
trusted in vain. No American need be told how Andrew Jack- 
son fought for his country, or with what childlike confidence 
in old age he yielded up his spirit to Him who gave it. 

The influence of outward circumstances in moulding the char- 
acter of an entire community, is seen in the early history of New 
England, and that of the pioneer settlements of the West. The 
Pilgrims and their immediate descendants occupied a region 
swarming with hostile savages, and became as skilful hunters 
and as daring Indian fighters as ever tracked the savage through 
the forests of Kentucky and Tennessee. The same undiscrimi- 
nating thirst for vengeance upon the whole Indian race burned 
In the bosom of the Puritans, which at a later period was so con- 
spicuously exhibited by the backwoodsmen of the West. The 
slaughter of the " praying Indians " at the Moravian mission of 



2 MY OWN TIMES. 

Gnadenhueten, on the Muskingum, finds its parallel in the butch- 
ery of the venerable Catholic priest, Sebastian Rasle, and his 
Indian converts, at their village on the banks of the Kennebec, 
in Maine. Even the murder of the women and children of 
Logan, the story of which is told with eloquence by Jefferson, 
has its counterpart in the melancholy fate of the captured wife 
and children of the brave chieftain, Philip of Mount Hope. I 
congratulate myself, that my humble lot, from the dawn of life 
to the years of manhood, was cast upon the frontiers of the 
West, where toil and danger and privation was my inheritance. 
I was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of 
February, 1788. My father, Robert Reynolds, and my mother, 
whose maiden name was Margaret Moore, were natives of Ire- 
land, from which country they emigrated to the United States^ 
landing at Philadelphia, in the year 1785. 

Several of the near connections of our family, including my 
paternal grandfather, and his household, emigrated at the same 
time, most of whom settled in Tennessee. 

My father was an intelligent, strong-minded man, who felt 
deeply and acted with decision. One of the most prominent 
traits of his character was hostility, bitter and undying, to the 
British government. It was this feeling that impelled him, as it 
has many thousand other natives of that ill-fated, oppressed 
country, to turn his back upon Ireland, and seek a home for 
himself and his children in 

"The land of the free and the home of the brave." 

The descendants of the Milesian race, the primitive inhabi- 
tants of Ireland, however humble may be their condition, scorn 
to mingle their blood with that of their Saxon oppressors. I 
have often heard my father boast, with conscious pride and 
kindling eye, that he and his ancestors belonged to that race, 
and that not a drop of English blood flowed in his veins. It is 
not impossible, however, that he may have been mistaken, and 
that our family is, in fact, of English origin, for, I have met with 
many of the same name in England. But I regard the whole 
subject of ancestry and descent, as utterly frivolous, and un- 
worthy of a moment's serious attention ; believing with Pope, that 

Honor and shame from no condition rise: 
Act well your part, there all the honor lies. 

I have alluded to the invincible hatred of my father toward 
the British government, principally because the same feelings 
are shared by a vast majority of the Irish people, at this very 
hour. It was that spirit which impelled the Irish volunteers to 
seek the front ranks in every forlorn hope of our revolution. 



MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER II. 



The Emigration of the Author's Father to Tennessc*. — Indian Wars. — 
The murder of George Mann, in 1794, by the Indians. 

When I was about six months old, my parents removed to 
Tennessee, and settled at the base of th€ Copper Ridge Moun- 
tain, about fourteen miles north-east of the present city of Knox- 
ville. My earliest recollections are connected with this spot, at 
a period when I was probably not more than five or six years 
old. The nightly alarm of hostile Indians, and the mountains, 
with their majestic summits often veiled in clouds, made an im- 
pression upon my mind which the lapse of years and the varied 
scenes through which I have since passed, have failed to oblit- 
erate. I well remember seeing my parents, whenever a night 
attack of the Indians was expected, bar the door of our cabin. 
After one of these alarms, my father, with gun in hand, looked 
cautiously out in every direction, to see that no Indian was lurk- 
ing near the house, before he would venture to open the door. 
The wakeful vigilance and resolute spirit of my father left the 
savages but slender hopes of success in that quarter, and our 
house was never assaulted, though the tracks of the Indian moc- 
casin were often seen upon the premises. 

My grandfather, who resided in the vicinity, had built a fort 
to which our family and others repaired in times of more than 
ordinary danger, and there, in frontier parlance, "forted" till the 
danger was over. 

In this manner the settlements of Tennessee were harassed 
for more than a quarter of a century. For many years previous 
to Wayne's treaty with the Indians in 1795, the Cherokees were 
deadly hostile to the frontier settlers, and killed ndt a few of the 
pioneers of that State. 

In 1794, my father rented his place on the frontier, to George 
Mann, a recent emigrant, and retired with his family into the 
^ interior. On the evening of the 25th of May, of the same year, 
Mr. Mann went out after supper to attend to his horses in the 
stable, and the Indians, who had probably watched all his mo- 
tions from their lurking place, shot him. He ran about three- 
quarters of a mile to a cave for shelter, but his pursuers were 
fast on his trail and gave him no time for concealing himself. 
He was found and killed, and his lifeless body mangled and 
mutilated in the most shocking manner. But their thirst for 
blood was not yet sated. They hastened back to the house, in 
the expectation that the unprotected wife and children of their 
late victim would become an easy prey. They attempted to 
gain an entrance into the cabin by forcing open the door, but this 



4 MY OWN TIMES. 

Mrs. Mann had securely barred. Fortunately, or, rather ought 
I not to say Providentially, but a few days before she had re- 
quested her husband to instruct her how to set the double trig- 
gers of his rifle. This he did, carefully showing and explaining 
to her. the whole process. 

One of the Indians, by great exertion and the assistance of 
the others, had partly succeeded In forcing his body between the 
door and the rude casing, usually termed in a cabin the '^cheek" 
and would soon have gained an entrance into the house, when the 
fate of the whole family would instantly have been decided. At 
this critical moment, Mrs. Mann set the tria-g-ers of her husband's 
rifle and, taking deliberate aim, fired. The ball passed through 
the body of the nearest Indian and wounded the one immedi- 
ately behind him. 

This was a reception which they had by no means expected 
from a woman, and they hastily retired from the cabin, carrying 
off their dead and wounded companions. Then going to the 
stable, they took out the horses, set it on fire, and beat a hasty 
retreat, taking the horses along with them. 

The flames of the burning building rose high, swaying to and 
fro in the night air, rendering every surrounding object, the 
forest, and the outlines of the Copper Ridge, distinctly visible. 
It was a scene that might well have tried the fortitude of that 
lone woman, with her infant children, ignorant as she was of the 
fate of her husband. But when has the devoted wife and mother 
ever failed to meet, with invincible fortitude, danger, and death 
itself for those she loved } 

Mrs. Mann was apprehensive that the house would take fire 
from the flames and sparks of the stable, but Providentially it 
did not. She waited till the building was burned down to the 
ground, and all danger from that source over, then taking her 
little children, she fled in the darkness of the night through the 
forest, a mile and a half, to the residence of my grandfather, 
calling all the way, at the top of her voice, the name of her hus- 
band, still clinging to the hope that he escaped with life, and 
that the sound would guide him to his wife and children. It 
need not be told that Mrs. Mann and her fatherless children 
found protection and sympathy at the house of my grandfather, 
for the dwellers on the frontiers are proverbial for their kindness 
to the afflicted, and to all who need their aid. Thus by a mys- 
terious interposition of Divine Providence, our family was spared 
from the tragic fate which befell that of George Mann. 



MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER III. 



The early pursuits and impressions of the Author. — His visit to the 
ancient domicile of his parents in Tennessee. — His intense feelings 
on the scenes of his infancy. — His first School Teachers. 

I REGARD it as a happy circumstance for which I ought ever to 
feel thankful, that my parents were in moderate circumstances, 
rendering it necessary for me to share in the labors of the farm 
from early boyhood, up to the years of manhood. I remember 
of plowing, when but a small lad, and yet retain a vivid recollec- 
tion of the knocks, and no very gentle ones, which the plow- 
handles gave me among the stumps, stones, and roots of an 
East-Tennessee clearing. 

To say nothing of the influence which early habits of industry 
may have exerted over my moral character, toiling in the open 
air, becoming inured to the vicisitudes of the seasons, sunshine 
and frost, rain and snow, gave me a vigorous constitution and 
sound health, which made me to undergo in my Indian cam- 
paigns, hardships and privations that would have driven any 
one, not early inured to labor, from the field. 

In 1853, I paid a visit to the State of Tennessee, and made a 
pilgrimage to the home of my infancy and childhood, the place 
where once stood the humble frontier cabin of my father. I 
now revisited that spot for the first time since we bade it adieu 
in 1800, and removed to Illinois. I had left it a mere boy; a 
careless, happy child. I returned to it in the wane of life. More 
than half a century stood between those two points of time. 
During all that long period of my humble, yet eventful history, 
the home of my early years lived fresh and green in my 
memory, just as I had seen it in childhood. 

I had expected to find the whole appearance of the country 
changed, and was not surprised that highly -cultivated farms, 
with their elegant mansions, occupied a region which I had seen 
covered with almost unbroken forest. But the most striking 
feature of the landscape remained unchanged. The mountains 
were the same. Their lofty summits rose to the heavens with 
the same sublime grandeur that excited my awe and admiration 
when a child. 

I knew the place where our cabin had stood, though every 
vestige of its walls and roofs had disappeared for more than a 
generation. Nothing now remained to mark the spot, except a 
slight elevation of the ground where the chimney had been, and 
a few flat stones that had once been our hearth. 

I visited this hallowed spot alone. I stood upon the hearth-^ 
stone of my childhood. The memories of early days thronged 
around my heart. It almost seemed as if I was once more a 



6 MY OWN TIMES. 

child, listening to the stories my mother told me in the long 
winter evenings around that very hearth. How well did I re- 
member telling her all my childish griefs, and with what gentle- 
ness she chided my waywardness, banishing all my sorrows with 
her afifectionate soothing words. I almost fancied that I could 
again feel her gentle hand, parting the luxuriant hair that shaded 
my youthful brow, and her warm kiss upon my forehead and 
lips. I care not who may sneer at the confession, I wept like a 
child as I stood alone upon that hearth-stone, and thought of 
you, my fond, my affectionate, my sainted mother. 

I have already told the reader that I was trained to labor 
from the time that I was capable of rendering the slightest as- 
sistance to my father on the farm. But my education was not 
neglected, that my parents might receive the earnings of my 
labor. They were always ready to make any sacrifice in their 
power to educate their children. At that early period, schools 
in Tennessee were few and far between, and these few not al- 
ways of a very valuable class. They were generally taught by 
itinerant pedagogues, mostly Irishmen, often of intemperate 
habits, and with very few qualifications for an employment so 
responsible as that of an instructor of youth. 

I was sent to school at a tender age. My first teacher was a 
cross, ill-natured Irishman, as unsuitable a character as can well 
be imagined to have the charge of a young and diffident child. 
I was often severely chastised, though I had not intentionally 
committed any fault. The scholars soon learned to detest him, 
and learned little else. The unjust severity with which I was 
treated made the very name of school odious to me. 

I mention this circumstance, which may appear to many as a 
trivial one, simply to caution my readers to beware of commit- 
ting the instruction of their young children into the hands of a 
teacher of bad morals and disposition, or ill-governed temper. 
Kindness of heart is quite as important a qualification in a 
teacher as an acquaintance with the cube root. 

My next teacher was a just and kind-hearted man, who was 
much esteemed by his pupils. Under his tuition, I became fond 
of going to school, and improved rapidly. It was a favorite 
maxim of my father that, the physical powers of the student 
ought to be exercised, as well as the mental faculties. In con- 
formity with that theory, I was compelled to devote half of my 
time to severe labor, and the other half to study. I believe that 
system an eminently judicious one. If it was more generally 
adopted, fewer young men would leave our colleges and our 
institutions of learning with an impaired constitution that 
renders their education of little value. I attended these schools 

in 1794-5- 

I have already remarked that the character of a community 
is generally moulded in conformity with the circumstances that 



MY OWN TIMES. 7 

.surround it. The mode of life, the habits and customs that 
existed in Tennessee in the "olden times," were such as natu- 
rally and almost unavoidably arose out of the condition of 
settlers of a sparsely- inhabited frontier with little intercourse 
with the world beyond their mountains, and menaced day and 
night by a savage foe. Those habits and modes of life have 
long since passed away, with the circumstances that gave them 
birth, and exist only in the traditions of other times. 

The condition of our border- settlers, even on the remotest 
confines of the distant West, is far different from that of the pio- 
neers of Tennessee. Hardly is there now a corner of our wide 
■domain, however remote, that has not felt the onward impulse 
of this '^ stirring ager The steamboat awakens the long slum- 
bering echoes of the forest, and enterprising merchants send the 
necessaries of life, and most of its superfluities, to our remotest 
.settlements. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The early Habits, Dress, and Amusements in Tennessee. — Barring out 
the School Teacher. 

I SHALL be pardoned, I trust, if I attempt to sketch, with a 
few brief outlines, customs and manners that no longer exist, 
and all remembrance of which, in a few years more, will have 
passed away. 

The backwoodsmen of Tennessee had almost no trade, except 
the small barter among themselves. All the articles of mer- 
chandise that came to that region were transported in wagons 
from Baltimore and Philadelphia, over bad roads, and across the 
mountains. I remember well the interest which the arrival of 
-one of these "store wagons" was sure to excite. The settlers 
from far and near gathered around it, eagerly enquiring if the 
trader had brought out this and that article, and what was the 
price. 

The clothing of both sexes was mostly spun, wove, and made 
up by the family. The men and boys were dressed in hunting 
shirts, and other garments of linsey, or as frequently was the 
case, in those of deer-skin. These hunting shirts, especially 
those for the young, were generally ornamented with a rustic 
fringe. 

A neat, modest girl will always continue to look well, even in 
the coarsest dress. Her own intuitive taste is a far better guide 
than the '■'fashion plates" of a Ladies' Magazine. Many a 
courtly dame haye I seen in London and Paris, flaunting in 
silks and laces and glittering with diamonds, who, to my hum- 
ble taste, appeared far less attractively dressed than not a i&V'f of 
-our backwoods girls in the simple homespun attire. 



8 MY OWN TIMES. 

Amusements on the frontier were not wanting, either in> 
variety or interest. ^^ Barring out the Master" was almost uni- 
versally attempted by the scholars of the frontier schools, on 
the eve of a holiday, and more particularly that of Christmas. 
At the latter season, the school was attended by many young 
men, and half-grown boys, who managed the whole affair. The 
first symptom of the "Barring Out" was the respectful petition 
of the large scholars to the teacher, that he would give the 
school a vacation of a week or two. This he almost invariably 
refused, for if granted, he would be compelled to make up every 
day of the vacation, at the close of this term, which would often 
interfere with his other engagements. As soon as the refusal of 
the school-master to grant their request was made known to the 
school, the leaders in the "Barring Out," with great secrecy 
planned their mode of operation, and with a feeling that they 
were conducting an important affair, upon the success of which 
their own honor and that of the school depended. 

No sooner had the school been dismissed for the day, on the 
evening appointed for the commencement of the rebellion, and 
the teacher fairly out of sight, than the campaign began. 

Their victory depended upon preventing the teacher from 
entering the school-house again, till he had yielded to their de- 
mands. A frontier school-house, in those days, was usually 
a log building of a rather primitive order of architecture. It 
had but one door and one window, the only openings through. 
which the enemy, by any possibility, could gain an entrance. 
Their fortress, therefore, did not require quite as large a force to 
man it as either Fort Diamond or the Rock of Gibraltar. Pro- 
visions in abundance were laid in, enough to last the youthful 
garrison during a siege of several days, and brought into the 
fortress. Among other supplies was a very liberal allowance of 
corn whiskey, which in those times was used as a common bev- 
erage by all classes. A store of pine knots was provided, whose 
light supplied the place of gas and spermaceti candles. The 
window was rendered secure, the door barred, and henceforth, 
during the siege, no one would be permitted to enter without 
giving the watchword and countersign. The whole night long 
was devoted to frolic and fun. A roaring fire blazed in the 
capacious fireplace, at which the boys broiled meat, cooked 
corn-dodgers and otlier articles of food, for a banquet. They 
literally occupied "the ground floor" of the building, for the 
floor of these school-houses was generally the bare earth. They 
had, therefore, no fear of making a grease spot upon the carpet. 

1 he neighbors, who were in the secret, aiding and abetting 
the boys, were admitted, and took part in the frolic. Cuffy, 
with his fiddle, was an indispensible part of the entertainment. 
Dancing and other amusements were kept up till broad day- 
light. The boys awaited with a share of bravado, but with real 



MY OWN TIMES. 9 

anxiety, the arrival of the teacher, at the usual hour, to opca 
the school. This was the all-important crisis. If he succeeded, 
their hopes of a vacation were at an end, their valor would be- 
come a public theme of ridicule, and not a few of them stand a 
pretty fair chance of receiving a handsome thrashing. When 
the hour of trial arrived in earnest, it often happened that those 
very boys who had been the loudest in boasting of the feats of 
valor they would perform, suddenly found that their courage, 
like that of Bob Acres, had some how or other, all oozed out 
at the ends of their fingers. In this respect they were not much 
different from men. In our Indian wars, and on various other 
occasions, I have discovered that the fierce, swaggering fire- 
eater, who is ready to face an earthquake when no earthquake 
is to be faced, is pretty sure to become as harmless as a quaker- 
gun, whenever he finds himself in the presence of real danger. 
True, manly courage is never boastful, nor does it put on a 
fierce, overbearing air. 

Sometimes the teacher himself is gratified at being barred out, 
and a good excuse thus afforded him for a short vacation. In 
that case, after a little mock resistance, he pretends to yield with 
great reluctance to their invincible prowess, and grants them all 
they ask. Instances sometimes, though rarely, occurred in 
which the obstinate resistance of the teacher was cured by duck- 
ing him in cold water. 

Numerous kinds of plays were common among the youth, in 
some of which both sexes took a part. One of these, called 
"shuffling the brogue," was probably introduced by the emi- 
grants from Ireland, for the name is unmistakably Irish, though 
it is precisely the same play that is known in England and our 
own Eastern States, by the name of "hunting the slipper." I 
could mention many sports and pastimes peculiar to the fron- 
tier, which have long since passed away. The descendants of 
the backwoodsmen have become too much improved in their 
manners to tolerate any amusement that is not doubly refined 
and politely insipid. 

Dancing parties were frequent. No royal birthnight ball ever 
exhibited finer specimens of manly and feminine beauty than 
did these rustic assemblies. The girls grew up to womanhood 
in the most profound ignorance of corsets, and the whole tribe 
of instruments of torture with which modern fine ladies distort 
and disfigure their forms in attempting to improve them. They 
were accustomed, from their infancy, to healthful exercise, plain 
food, and the pure mountain air. The consequence was, that 
nature moulded and rounded their fully-developed forms into 
models for the statuary. 

I doubt not that many will smile at my having dwelt thus 
long upon the amusements of the youth on the frontiers, re- 



lO MY OWN TIMES. 



garding the pastimes of childhood as a very trivial theme. So 
thought not the philosophers and statesmen of Greece. 



CHAPTER V. 
Early History and Commerce of Tennessee. 

Although the first settlement of Tennessee was previous to 
"MY OWN TIMES," I shall give a rapid sketch of that, and some 
succeeding portions of the history of that State. Without such 
a sketch, some portions of my work would be little understood. 

The territorial possessions of North Carolina, long previous to 
the American Revolution, were extended, by virtue of a Royal 
grant, from the eastern boundary of that colony to the Missis- 
sippi River. This territory, comprising the present State of 
Tennessee, was an unknown region, inhabited only by hostile 
tribes, till about the year 1766, when the settlements of Virginia 
and North Carolina began to extend to the western slope of 
the great Alleghany chain, into the district of country known at 
that period by the name of "the Watagah country," from an 
inconsiderable river of that name. From this period, popula- 
tion began slowly, but steadily, to extend farther and farther 
West, till it reached the great mountain range that divides East 
from West Tennessee. Here, for a long period, the onward 
wave of population was staid. 

It was not till the year 1767, that North Carolina extended 
the jurisdiction of her laws over that region. In that year the 
whole extent of Tennessee, East and West, was organized into 
a single county, to which the Legislature, in honor of the future 
Commander-in-Chief of the American armies, fighting the bat- 
tles of the Revolution, gave the name of Washington. Sullivan 
County was established in 1679, Greene in 1783, and Hawkins in 
1776. All these counties were in East Tennessee, on the west 
side of the mountains. Davidson County was established in 
1780, and Tennessee County in 1788. These were all the coun- 
ties organized by North Carolina, within the present limits of 
Tennessee, before the latter passed from under the jurisdiction 
of the parent State. 

The French colonists of North America, from the earliest 
period of our colonial history, were successful rivals of our own 
countrymen in their trade with the Indians. From some cause 
or other, they were far more successful in gaining the confidence 
and friendship of the Indian tribes scattered over the western 
country. 

In 1700, the French trappers visited West Tennessee, traded 
and established friendly relations with the tribes on that side of 
the mountains, and finally extended their trade with the Indians 
over East Tennessee. 



MY OWN TIMES. II 

Charleville, an enterprising Frenchman, ascended the Missis- i 
sippi and Ohio Rivers with a stock of goods suited to the In- ' 
dian trade, and'established a trading-house at the mouth of the , 
Tennessee, where the flourishing town of Paducah now stands. / 
This was in the year 17 14. Another French trading-post was ' 
established on the same river, about twelve miles from its 
mouth ; and several others in the vicinity of the present city of 
Nashville. Near the latter place, the French, at one period, 
were accustomed to manufacture salt, and hence that region, for 
a long period, was known among the Americans by the name of 
the ''French Licks." 

These French traders mostly had white families residing with 
them, but no town or village of that nation was ever formed in 
Tennessee. 

American hunters and explorers visited West Tennessee in 
1769. In the following year, a party of them descended the 
Cumberland River, with a large cargo of peltries and furs, which 
they disposed of at Natchez, which was then a Spanish town, 
forming a part of Florida. This was the first attempt to navi- 
gate the Cumberland. 

In 1775, Capt. De Montbrun, subsequently commandant at 
Kaskaskia, traded and made his residence near Nashville. In 
1778 a few cabins were erected, and a crop of corn raised in 
West Tennessee, near Bledsoe's Lick. A large colony emi- 
grated to that section from Long Island in the Holston. A 
branch of this party went by land, under the command of Gen. 
Robinson, crossing the mountains at the Cumberland Gap, and 
wending their way through the Southern part of Kentucky, 
These intrepid emigrants suffered many hardships in their long 
and tedious journey, but under the judicious leadership of that 
excellent man, Gen. Robinson, they at length reached their 
place of destination in safety. This was in 1780. The other 
division of that colony, under the command of Col. Donaldson, 
descended the Holston and Tennessee. Their sufferings on this 
voyage were truly appalling. Many deaths occurred on the route 
from the hardships and privations they endured. At length the 
survivors, worn down with toils and sufferings, joined the other 
division of the colony at the Bluffs. This body of emigrants 
was the nucleus of the settlement of Cumberland, as West Ten- 
nessee was then, and for a long period afterward, styled. 

In 1782, the Legislature of North Carolina laid off a town at 
the "Bluffs," and named it Nashville, in honor of Gen. Nash, a 
gallant officer of the Revolutionary War. On the 6th of October 
of the following year, was held the first court ever organized in 
West Tennessee. It was held at the new town of Nashville, 
which was made the county-seat of Davidson County, which at 
that period embraced an area large enough for a small State. 

While the territory comprised within the present boundaries 



12 MY OWN TIMES. 

of the State of Tennessee yet belonged to North Carolina, ai 
determination became almost universal, amon^ the settlers, to 
"cut loose" from all connection with the parent State, and 
establish a government of their own. In pursuance of this 
feeling, delegates were elected from the three counties of 
Washington, Greene, and Sullivan, who met in convention at 
Jonesborough, on the 23rd of August, 1784, to deliberate upon 
the subject of a separate state organization. 

They declared the territory an independent state, and gave 
it the name of the '^ State of Franklin" in honor of our great 
American philosopher and patriot. Another convention was 
held shortly after, at the same place, which adopted a constitu- 
tion for the new State, and confirmed the doings of the former 
delegates. 

Neither the parent State, nor the General Government, was 
at all disposed to sanction these proceedings. North Carolina 
relieved herself from this unpleasant controversy, by ceding 
the whole territory to the United States. A territorial gov- 
ernment was established by Congress, and William Blount 
appointed by the President, General Washington, as the first 
Governor. 

Gen. White, the father of the distinguished Senator, Hugh L. 
White, laid off the town of Knoxville in 179 1. At that period 
it was included in the county of Hawkins. Gov. Blount, and 
the territorial judges, created the county of Knox, and made 
Knoxville its county seat, and the seat of government for the 
territory. In 1796, Tennessee was admitted into the Union, 
and has ever since held a high rank in our confederacy. The 
State of Franklin, with its constitution, was permitted silently 
and quietly to sink into oblivion, and not a few of the present 
inhabitants of Tennessee are ignorant of the fact that such an 
organization, with all the fearful elements of discord which it 
might, under other circumstances, have contained, ever existed. 

It is difficult at the present day, fully to realize the disad- 
vantages under which Tennessee labored, from the period of its 
first settlement, down to the cession of Louisiana to the United 
States in 1803. With a soil and climate admirably adapted to 
the production of the most valuable agricultural staples of the 
country, it was useless for the people to cultivate their rich soil 
^beyond what was needful for their own consumption. There 
was no market for any surplus. No possible price at which any 
kind of produce might be sold, would pay the expense of trans- 
porting to Baltimore, the nearest eastern market, by a land 
carriage of many hundred miles, over mountains, and on roads 
that were often hardly passable with empty wagons. 

The Mississippi, the natural channel of commerce for the 
entire West, was closed against them. The banks of that river, 
on both sides, for several hundred miles of the lower part of its 



MY OWN TIMES. I3 

course, including the port of New Orleans, was in the possession 
of Spain, whose avowed policy it was to cut off the Western 
people from the navigation of that river. 

Almost the only two articles produced in East Tennessee, 
that would justify the expense of land -carriage to the eastern 
cities, were saltpetre and gingseng. The first-named article was 
found in abundance in many of the mountain caves. It is 
hardly needful to inform the reader that gingseng is a root that 
grows wild in certain locations, but all attempts to cultivate the 
plant have failed. The early Jesuit missionaries to China found 
a root in use at the court of the Emperor, and by the more 
wealthy among the Mandarins, to the medical properties of 
which they ascribed almost miraculous power. It was supposed 
to grow nowhere else in the world, but in a single mountainous 
district of no great extent, in China, and readily commanded a 
most extravagant price. The missionaries sent a description of 
the plant to Europe. In 1720, the Abbe Lafiteau, a Jesuit 
missionary among the Indians, discovered it in the forests of 
Canada. Half a century later, it was found to grow in abund- 
ance in the United States. For many years, gingseng obtained 
a ready sale to our eastern merchants, who exported it to China. 
The high price at which it was sold made it a valuable article of 
traffic to the early emigrants of East Tennessee, cut off, as they 
were, from the usual means of trade and commerce. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Emigration of the Writer's Father from Tennessee to Kaskaskia, 
Illinois. — Fort Massacre. 

The Spanish Government, to afford protection to their fron- 
tiers from the Indians and the British in Canada, encouraged 
the Americans to emigrate and settle in their domains, west of 
the Mississippi. Lands were bountifully bestowed on all immi- 
grants, and such other encouragement was held out to them, 
that many prosperous and important American settlements were 
formed in the Spanish country. The lead mines also encouraged 
immigration to New Spain, by which name the country west ot 
the Mississippi was frequently called. 

The large and respectable family and connections of the 
Murphys, who located on the waters of the St. Francis River, 
south-west of Ste. Genevieve, in the present State of Missouri, 
emigrated from Tennessee, not far from the residence of my 
father, and gave popularity to the emigration to New Spain. 
My father caught the mania — sold out and started for the 
Spanish country west of the Mississippi. 

We left Tennessee in February, 1 800, with eight horses and 
two wagons, for New Spain. Our company consisted of my 



14 MY OWN TIMES. 

parents, six children, I the oldest, three hired men, and a colored 
woman. We had also another animal with us, a dog, that fol- 
lowed us through good and evil report to the end of our jour- 
ney. Fortunately we had no other stock. Our clothing, beds, 
and some farming utensils, with our provisions, made the light 
freight for our two wagons, which was fortunate, as heavy 
burdens would have been a great injury to us. We crossed 
Clinch River at Kingston, and entered the Indian Territory. At 
that day, the Cumberland mountains were a dreary wilderness, 
not a settlement on them between Kingston and near the Cum- 
berland River, at the mouth of the Caney Fork, where Carthage 
now stands. We had strong teams and light loads, so that we 
crossed the mountains without difficulty. My father had been 
over these mountains often, guarding the travellers across them, 
in the time of the Indian wars, and was thereby well acquainted 
with the various localities in them. This made our travel over 
them the more pleasant and expeditious. We passed Dixon's 
Spring, Bledsoe's Lick, Gallatin, and crossed Red River not far 
from the mouth. We then entered the State of Kentucky and 
passed the site of the present Hopkinsville. At that day, the 
jail was the only building in the place. In this vicinity we wit- 
nessed the first semblance of the prairies, and in many places 
they were tolerably well developed. We passed the residence 
of Judge Prince, where Princeton now stands, and the next con- 
spicuous stand was Ritchie's Horse Mill. 

At Lusk's ferry, we reached the noble and beautiful Ohio 
River in the evening. The river was full up to the top of the 
banks, and exhibited a magnificence and beauty that was the 
admiration of our whole travelling caravan. We had often read 
and heard of the beauty and splendor of this famous river, but it 
surpassed the liveliest and brightest conceptions we had formed 
of it. But the pleasures we enjoyed at the sight of this beauti- 
ful stream soon vanished, when we cast our eyes across it to 
the dreary waste of wilderness that extended almost indefinitely 
from its north-western shores. We were encompassed with a 
wilderness, filled with savages and wild beasts, and extending on 
the north to the pole itself, and on the west to China, except a 
few straggling settlements on the Mississippi and the Wabash 
Rivers. And to make our miseries complete, our three em- 
ployed men, who had been engaged to work for my father for a 
year, abandoned us, took with them three horses, and left us 
desolate in [this wilderness. The scene was appalling and dis- 
tressing. My parents and six children, myself only twelve 
years old, without assistance camped in a wilderness. 

My father was an energetic man, and possessed extraordinary 
firmness. He had crossed the Rubicon, and determined to travel 
on to the west of the Mississippi. He employed a man to assist 
us through the wilderness, and after making the necessary ar- 



MY OWN TIMES. 15 

rangements at Lusk's ferry, we crossed the Ohio on a beautiful 
Sunday morning. We landed at the site in Illinois where Gol- 
conda now stands, in Pope County. I well recollect, that the 
west side of the Ohio was then called "the Indian Country." I 
recollect asking Mr. Lusk how far it was to the next town.-* and 
he laughed and said, "one hundred and ten miles to Kaskaskia, 
which is the first settlement on the route." 

In this journey to Kaskaskia, we were doomed to encounter 
much difiiculty and hardship. The first trouble we had to sur- 
mount was a hurricane, that prostrated the trees across the road 
in such manner, that we could not move on at all until a passage 
for the wagons was cut through the fallen timber. At this scene 
of the tornado it snowed on us, and we knew not at first what 
distance the hurricane extended. We would not return, and it 
looked impossible at first to pass through so much prostrate 
timber. The labor of my father surmounted the difficulty. He 
carefully examined the route, where the last number of trees 
impeded, and commenced he and his hired man to cut a road 
over and round this fallen timber. I drove a wagon at a time on 
the new cut road, and then went back for the other; so that the 
axes might work all the time. At last we got through the fallen 
trees, better than we first anticipated. 

No other impediment interrupted us, until we reached Big 
Muddy River. This stream we found swimming, and we lay at 
it until we could ford it; as no one lived at it, and there was 
neither ferry or bridge over it. We lay there two weeks, which 
appeared as long as two years in Paris or London. 

On a clear evening, the river commenced to rise without any 
rain falling, where we camped. It had rained toward the sources 
of the stream, and we discovered it was useless to wait any 
longer for it to fall. It was a gloomy and painful prospect be- 
fore us. Our horses were without food, as there was no grass, 
and we had no corn. We had as yet plenty of provisions; but 
our teams were becoming poor and feeble, to such extent that 
we might not be able to travel. 

My father decided to construct a raft, on which to cross the 
river. The Indians had deadened many of the elm trees near 
the stream, and they were dry and light. They were cut down 
and hauled to the bank of the river, and in two days' work a 
large raft was constructed. The light planks of the wagons 
made a floor to the raft, and we got our bed cords fastened 
across the stream, so that the raft could be towed across with 
ease. 

We had two axes, and the hired man let one fall into the river 
and lost it. This accident alarmed us greatly. If we lost the 
other, our travelling and rafting was at an end until we procured 
an axe. We saved the other, and travelled on West. We rafted 
four creeks, and travelled round the head of another. The last 



l6 MY OWN TIMES. 

Ave rafted was Beaucoup Creek, some thirty miles east of Kas- 
kaskia. We were four weeks travelling the journey from the 
Ohio River to Kaskaskia, and experienced much hardship and 
difficulty in the route. 

In rafting the streams, we took the wagons to pieces and 
crossed them in parcels. The horses swam over; but were at 
times troubled to get up the perpendicular banks of the streams. 

In the present county of "Williamson, west of the Crab Or- 
chard, was the first prairie we saw. We halted the cavalcade, 
and gazed with wonder and delight at it. It was so smooth, it 
had been recently burnt, and so level, and so extensive that our 
eyes were dimmed in gazing on it. We wondered what was the 
reason the timber did not grow on it. No one of us dreamed 
that it was the fire in the grass that caused the prairies. I have 
been thus much in detail with our journey to Illinois, as most of 
the immigrants of that day experienced some such difficulty in 
travelling to the West. 

.^t the time we reached Illinois, two companies of the United 
States army were stationed at Fort Massacre, and perhaps a few 
families resided near the fort and were dependent on it. This 
was the only white settlement between the Ohio and the Missis- 
sippi. 

Fort Massacre was established by the French about the year 
171 1, and was also a missionary station. It was only a small 
fortress until the war of 1755 commenced between the English 
and French. In 1756, the fort was enlarged and made a re- 
spectable fortress, considering the wilderness it was in. It was 
at this place where the Christian missionaries instructed the 
Southern Indians in the Gospel precepts; and it was here also 
that the French soldiers made a resolute stand against the 
^nemy. 

I visited Fort Massacre in 1855, and examined its site and 
remaining vestiges. The outside walls were 135 feet square, 
and at each angle strong bastions were erected. The walls were 
palisades with earth between the wood. A large well was sunk 
in the fortress, and the whole appeared to have been strong and 
substantial in its day. Three or four acres of gravelled walks 
were made on the north of the forts, on which the soldiers 
paraded. 

These walks are made in exact angles, and are beautifully 
gravelled with the pebbles from the river. The site is one of 
the most beautiful on La Belle Revierre, and commands a view 
of the Ohio that is charming and lovely. French genius for the 
selection of sites for forts is eminently sustained in their choice 
of Fort Massacre. 



MY OWN TIMES. 1/ 



CHAPTER VII. 

First View of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia. — The Indians. — My Father 
Disliked the Spanish Government. — Remained in Illinois. 

When we approached the high bluffs east of Kaskaskia we 
lialted our travelling caravan, and surveyed with wonder and 
delight the prospect before us. It was in the spring, and the 
•scenery was beautiful. 

The eye ranged up and down the American Bottom for many 
■miles, and the whole landscape lay, as it were, at our feet. The 
river bluffs rose two hundred feet or more above the bottom, 
and the prairie lay extended before our view, covered with cat- 
tle and horses grazing on it. The Mississippi itself could be 
seen in places through the forest of cotton-wood trees skirting 
its shores, and the ancient village of Kaskaskia presented its 
singular form and antique construction to our sight. The 
ancient Cathedral stood a venerable edifice in the heart of the 
village, with its lofty steeple, and large bell — the first church 
bell I ever saw. Around the village were numerous camps and 
lodges of the Kaskaskia Indians, still retaining much of their 
original savage independence. 

The large common field with a fence stretched out from the 
Kaskaskia River to the Mississippi extended on one side of the 
village, and the commons covered with cattle on the other. 
Near the bluff on the east, the Kaskaskia River wended its way 
south, and entered the Mississippi six miles below the village 
of Kaskaskia. 

This was our first sight of a kind of ^?/«j"/-civilization we saw 
in Illinois, and it was so strange and uncouth to us, that if we 
had been landed on another planet we would not have been 
more surprised. 

The Kaskaskia Indians were numerous, and had still retained 
some of their savage customs. Many of the young warriors 
decorated themselves in their gaudy and fantastic attire with 
paints. Feathers of birds were tied in their hair; and some- 
times the horns of animals were also attached to their heads. 
They galloped in this fantastic dress around our encampment. 
This was a kind of salutation more to demonstrate their per- 
sons and their exploits than anything else. 

After recruiting a short time, and obtaining some provisions 
for ourselves and food for our horses, from the grist-mill of 
General Edgar, which was "hard by," my father had his humble 
caravan prepared to cross the Mississippi and " all aboard," 
when some gentlemen from Kaskaskia came to our encamp- 
ment and held a conversation with my father. These gentle- 
men were Messrs. Robert Morrison, John Rice Jones, Pierre 
2 



l8 MY OWN TIMES. 

Menard, and John Edgar, who debated the subject with my 
father, whether it was not better for him to remain at Kaskaskia 
sometime, and look around for a permanent residence. The 
argument of these gentlemen prevailed, and my parents agreed 
to take a house in Kaskaskia, and examine the country "around 
about." 

After taking sometime in the exploration of the eastern side 
of the Mississippi, my father reaffirmed his decision to make 
the Spanish country his residence, and went to Ste. Genevieve 
to obtain a permit of the Spanish Commandant to settle on the 
west side of the river. 

In the permit to settle in the Domains of Spain, it was re- 
quired that my father should raise his children in the Roman 
Catholic Church. This pledge was a requisition of the Govern- 
ment in all cases, and my father refused to agree to it. My 
whole family were Protestants, and would not consent to edu- 
cate their children in a faith they did not approve. This was 
the main reason that decided our destiny to settle and reside in 
Illinois. The visit of the Kaskaskia citizens had no doubt some 
effect with my father; but the requisition of the Spanish Gov- 
ernment was the governing principle with my Protestant an- 
cestors. 

It is surprising to witness, through the progress of human 
events, the small circumstances that frequently occur without 
much notice, and often without reflection, which often govern 
the fate and destiny of a person or nation forever. The perse- 
cution of the Puritans in old England caused the settlements of 
New England, and out of it mighty results flowed. The small 
circumstance of my father disliking the Spanish requisition 
decided the fate of himself and family as to residence. 

We remained in Kaskaskia for some months, and planted 
corn in the French common field; but at last located in the 
small settlement a few miles east of Kaskaskia. Our residence 
was within ' about two. and a half miles of Kaskaskia, and 
we made mathematically the seventh family in the colony. 
We made our habitation east of Kaskaskia River in the forest 
amongst the high grass, and the wolves and wild animals were 
howling and prowling about ns every night. We enjoyed not 
the least semblance of a school, or a house of worship, or 
scarcely any other blessing arising out of a civilized community. 
In this state of the country, it required great moral courage 
to remain in it. My father conquered all difficulties and re- 
mained here during his life. 

The wise Creator formed the human family to become fa- 
miliar and reconciled to the surrounding circumstances. In a 
few years, we all were pleased and happy in our present wilder- 
ness location; but at first, it was extremely painful and disa- 
greeable. Although a great amount of destitution stared us in 



MY* OWN TIMES. 19 

the face, yet in a few years, we forgot our artificial wants, and 
were happy among the Indians and wolves. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Illinois in 1800. — The White Population. — The Indian Tribes. — Hard 
Fate of the Aborgines. — Want of Schools and Churches. — Agricul- 
ture — Farming Implements. — Mills. — Counties. — Government. 

The territory, that at this day embraces the populous State 
of Illinois, presented at that early period a savage wilderness. 
The entire white population, French and Americans, amounted 
to about two thousand or perhaps a small fraction more. The 
French Creoles numbered about twelve hundred, and the 
Americans eight hundred or a thousand. The negroes, slaves 
and free, of that day, amounted to two hundred I presume. 
The white population extended in sparse settlements from 
Kaskaskia, fifty odd miles, to Cahokia, and back east from the 
river only a few miles. The colonies of Turkey Hill, the New 
Design, Horse Prairie, and th^ where my father resided, were 
the eastern limits of the American population, and it would not 
average back from the river more than eight or ten miles. 
The eight hundred American inhabitants who resided in Illi- 
nois at this time, were located in the following settlements, and 
in the numbers following, as near as I can estimate them. The 
whole extent of the American Bottom numbered about three 
hundred and fifty souls. The New Design contained about two 
hundred and fifty. These two colonies embraced the principal 
American population of the country. Six or eight American 
families resided in Kaskaskia. The settlement where my father 
located contained seven families, and the Horse Prairie colony 
less. The settlement around Piggot's ancient fort amounted to 
some thirty souls, and a less number were settled around the 
old forts known as "Whiteside's Station," and Belle Fountain. 
A small settlement had existed and had almost expired in 1800, 
situated between the present Waterloo and the Mississippi bluff 
in Monroe County. At one period this colony might have con- 
tained thirty-five inhabitants. At Turkey Hill, was a small col- 
ony of a few families, containing in all fifteen or twenty souls, 
in 1800. These were all the American settlements in Illinois 
at this period. 

The entire French population was comprised within the vil- 
lage of Kaskaskia, Prairie du Rocher, Cahokia, and Prairie du 
Pont, and some few French hamlets besides, which will be here- 
after mentioned. Kaskaskia contained five hundred inhabitants, 
Prairie du Rocher two hundred, Prairie du Pont one hundred, 
and Cahokia four hundred, amounting in all to twelve hun- 



20 MY OWN TIMES. 

dred. At this period, the villages of Fort Chartres and St. 
Philip were extinct. Some few French families resided on the 
"Big Island" ift the Mississippi, in the present county of Madi- 
son. A few at Peoria, and a handsome small village at Prairie 
du Chien. Also a small hamlet at Cape ate Grit, on the Missis- 
sippi, a short distance above the mouth of Illinois, amounting 
in all perhaps to one hundred inhabitants, or a few more. 

Only a very small number of slaves were Americans, who were 
held to service by a kind of indenture, and the rest were French. 
Most of these French slaves resided in Prairie du Rocher, and 
were the descendants of the slaves brought to Illinois in the 
year 1720, from the Island of San Domingo, by Philip Francis 
Renault, to work the mines. This small amount of white popu- 
lation was isolated from the rest of the inhabitants by vast 
regions of wilderness, except on the west of the Mississippi. 

At this early period, considerable colonies existed on the west 
side of the river, and extended much farther on the Mississippi 
than the settlements in Illinois. The lead mines of the Spanish 
country attracted emigration, and the colonies extended back 
west from the river forty or more miles. These settlements 
were much larger than on the east side of the Mississippi, al- 
though they were in a foreign Government, yet they gave 
strength and efficiency to the weaker colonies on the east side 
of the stream. 

The Indian tribes inhabiting the wilderness of that day, which 
is now comprised in the present limits of the State of Illinois, 
were numerous, warlike, and courageous. The savages at that 
day all possessed a wild and hostile spirit that existed through- 
out the North American Indians. The wars had not then sub- 
dued their spirits. The Sac and Fox tribes were united, and 
formed at that day a large, brave, and powerful nation. Their 
chief residence was near Rock Island, in the Mississippi, and 
throughout the country around that locality. 

The Winnebagoes resided on the upper part of Rock River, 
and west of Green Bay, north-west of Lake Michigan, and on 
and over the Wisconsin River. The Pottawatomies inhabited 
the region between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River, and 
down that river. The war-like and courageous small nation of 
the Kickapoo Indians dwelt in the prairies north and east of 
Springfield, and also in the region of country around Blooming- 
ton. The Kaskaskia Indians were housed in by the other tribes 
to the country around about their ancient village of Kaskaskia. 
The Piankishaws were located in the south-eastern section of 
the State, and inhabited the waters of the lower Wabash River, 
on both sides of that stream. .-_^ 

The most dense Indian population of the West was on the 
Illinois River, and its tributaries. Also, on the Mississippi, near 
Rock Island, was a strong Indian population, but not equal to 



MY OWN TIMES. 21 

that on the Illinois River. It is impossible to be accurate in 
the estimation of the number of Indians who resided in the 
limits of the State at this early period. I presume it would 
range between 30,000 and 40,000 souls, and at this day, not one 
exists in the State. 

The destruction of the Indians of North America is a sub- 
ject that has enlisted the sympathy and deepest feeling of every 
philanthropist in the Union — whether they acquired the country 
at first, right or wrong. When the whites discovered it they 
were the peaceable occupants of it. Generation succeeded gen- 
eration of the natives, for ages, in the peaceable possession of 
their inheritance, descended from their ancestors, which gave 
them as much equity and justice to retain possession of it as 
any civilized nation has at this day for the country they inhabit. 

Not only had the aborigines of Illinois an undoubted right 
to the country they occupied, but the climate, fertility of soil, 
and other advantages, made them as happy in their mode of 
life as the same country does the whites at this time, in propor- 
tion to the difference of civilization. The whites discovered the 
Indians peaceable and happy in Illinois, and at this day all are 
torn away from their own country, and many whole tribes have 
been destroyed. 

The Government is now affording them all the protection 
which is in their power, to preserve them from annihilation and 
make them happy. They are removed from the whites as far as 
possible, and education has always been urged on them. That 
wanton and wicked passion, existing in olden times in the hearts 
of the whites, to destroy and annihilate the natives, as if they 
were wild beasts of prey, has measurably subsided, and the 
spirit 6f kindness and Christianity has taken its place. This 
humane and Christian policy of the Government has caused 
much happiness to prevail amongst this unfortunate race. But 
it seems the destiny of the United States, in its march to the 
summit level of its greatness, will inevitably destroy the abo- 
rigines. To this great and unparalleled onward march of the 
United States, the aborigines must yield. 

If the Government had preserved the natives in their posses- 
sions in the Union, only small patches of the United States 
would be at this tiAe settled or civilized. Attempts have been 
made for ages to improve the Northern Indians, and they obsti- 
nately refused to accept the boon. Most, or all of them from 
the old States, at last, followed their relatives to the West, and 
bid defiance to civilization. 

It seems it is a decree of Heaven that they cannot become 
civilized men. The efforts of the most humane men have been 
exhausted in vain on them, to improve them, and identify them 
with the whites. Some honorable exceptions exist in the South 
to this rule amongst some Indian tribes. 



22 MY OWN TIMES. 

The zeal and ardent desire to Christianize and improve the 
natives caused hundreds of the most learned and pious mis- 
sionaries to leave Europe, and spend their lives with the abo- 
rigines of both North and South America. The first explorers 
of the country did not visit it for personal advancement or 
pecuniary gain, but for the more holy object of Christianizing 
the natives. It cannot be denied: the policy practised by the 
first Christian missionaries did good; but the country changed 
hands, and these missionary efforts ceased with it. The In- 
dians are now in the hands of the Lord and the United States 
Government to guide them to happiness, it is hoped. It seems 
the progress of the country must make the aborigines yield to 
the onward march of civilization and Christianity. 

In the county of Randolph there was not a single school or 
school-house in 1800, except, perhaps, John Doyle, a soldier of 
the Revolution under General Clark, might have taught a few 
children in Kaskaskia at or after this period. 

In the settlement of the New Design, an Irishman, not well 
qualified, called Halfpenny, at this period, instructed some few 
pupils. This school was the only one among the Americans at 
this early day. In the American Bottom, perhaps a school 
might have existed, but not long at a time. Under the 
guidance of the clergy in the French villages at rare intervals, 
schools were established, but their numbers and efficacy were 
limited. 

The agriculture at this period was limited and inefficient. The 
citizens were generally poor, and raised not much surplus pro- 
duce. At this period, there was neither barley, rye, nor oats 
cultivated in the country. Corn, wheat, and potatoes were then, 
as they are now, staple articles. The Americans cultivafed the 
same species of corn they do now, but the French almost 
entirely raised the hard flinty corn, c5ut of which hominy was 
manufactured. They also sowed spring wheat, as their common 
fields were occupied by the cattle all winter. The Americans 
mostly raised fall wheat, and at times some spring wheat also. 
In early times, the French cultivated only a scanty supply of 
potatoes, or other vegetables, except articles pertaining to the 
gardens. In horticulture, they excelled the Americans. The 
lettuce, peas, beans, beets, carrots, and simffar vegetables, were 
cultivated considerably in the French gardens. In this neces- 
sary branch of culture the pioneer Americans did not rival their 
French neighbors, but in a " truck patch " the Anglo-Saxons 
surpassed the other race. Cabbages were to some extent culti- 
vated, but sweet potatoes then were not seen in the country. In 
early times, flax and cotton were cultivated considerably. Large 
stocks of cattle, horses, and hogs were raised in proportion to 
the number of inhabitants. The French cart was a primitive 
vehicle, made entirely of wood, and not an atom of iron in its 



MY OWN TIMES. 23 

construction. Runnini^ it without grease, it made a creaking 
noise, which could be heard at a great distance. At this early- 
day, the agricultural implements were defective. The old bar- 
share plow w^as used by the Americans, and sometimes the 
shovel plow, in the growing corn. The common hoe was the 
same then that is used at this day. 

The French depended 'more on hunting and voyaging for a 
living than on agriculture, and therefore paid less attention to 
the cultivation of the earth. Their plows, and they had but one 
•class of that instrument, was of French descent, I presume, as 
I saw the same species of plows in Old France. The French 
plow was destitute of iron, except a small piece, and the same 
fastened to the point of the wood of the instrument to cut the 
earth. Tjie metal was tied with rawhide to the wood of the 
plow, and also a kind of mortice was made in the forepart ot 
the share, in which the front of the wood was inserted. The 
bar, as it is called, was constructed of wood. The handles were 
very short and crooked, so that the plowman walked almost on 
his plow. The beam was straight, and laid on the axle of a 
low-wheeled carriage. The wheels of this vehicle were low and 
made without iron, similar to the wheels of a wheelbarrow. 
Holes in the beam of the plow permitted the instrument to be 
so regulated on the axle that it would make the proper depth 
of furrow. The plow was dragged on generally by oxen. The 
cattle were hitched to the plow by a straight yoke, which was 
tied to the horns of the oxen by straps of untanned leather. 

Some few grist-mills were established in the country in 1800, 
and one saw-mill. General Edgar had erected a fine flouring- 
mill on a small stream passing through the Mississippi Bluff, a 
short distance north-east of Kaskaskia, which did considerable 
business for two-thirds of the year. This mill manufactured 
flour for the New-Orleans market, and frequently boats were 
freighted from this mill with the flour to the Southern market. 

Henry Levens had in operation at this date the only saw-mill 
in the country. It was built on Horse Creek, a few miles from 
the mouth of the creek, in Randolph County. 

Judy owned a water-mill, situated a few miles south of 
Columbia, in the present county of Monroe. West of this mill, 
and near the Mississippi Bluff, Valentine owned a small water- 
mill. In Prairie du Pont, Jean F. Perry owned a water-mill for 
many years. This was the same site where the Jesuits had 
erected a mill some forty or fifty years previous. Joseph Kin- 
ney had a small water-mill on a stream east of the New Design. 
In all the French villages, and in the New Design also, horse- 
mills were erected, and some business done by them when the 
water-mills were dry. 

The North-western Territory was divided; and on the 7th 
day of May, 1800, the Indiana Territory was established. Illi- 



24 MY OWN TIMES. 

nois formed the western part of the Territory. The two counj 
ties of St. Clair and Randolph were formed and organized 
previous to this period. The county seats were for Randolph 
at Kaskaskia, and for St. Clair, at Cahokia, and courts were held 
in each of them. William Henry Harrison was the governor of 
the Territory; and the seat of government was established at 
Vincennes. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Wilderness in the West in 1800. — The Soil and Surface of Illinois. — 
The Prairies. — Is Timber an advantage to the Country? 

The vast region of country in 1800, extending from a few 
miles west of Nashville, Tennessee, and west of a few colonies 
in the North-western Territory to the Pacific Ocean, was a wil- 
derness, except small settlements on the margins of the Missis- 
sippi, in Upper Louisiana, and Illinois. A small colony was 
established around the ancient French village of Vincennes,. 
which interrupted, in a small degree, the wilderness that ex- 
tended north to the frozen ocean. The wilderness on the South, 
and West was only arrested by the Spanish settlements in 
Lower Louisiana, and by New Spain and California to the 
West. Almost all the north-western part of the continent of 
North America, from these settlements vvest and north-west was- 
a wilderness, and in the undisturbed possession of the natives. 

At that day, three-fourths of the State of Ohio and nine- 
tenths of Indiana was a waste, only occupied by wandering- 
tribes of Indians. Illinois then had only a speck of white popu- 
lation in its extended limits, and the rest remaining under the 
peaceable dominion of the red men. 

What a change has been produced in half a century by the 
talents and energies of the American people. The country at. 
this day cannot be compared with itself fifty years back. 
Neither prose, poetry, nor painting can present ancient Illinois 
in its true picture to the present generation. Everything is so' 
radically changed and altered that the very soil itself, on which 
a person has remained all the time, has altered and changed sO' 
much that it can hardly be recognized. 

Illinois presents generally an even and beautiful surface of the 
most fertile and prolific soil of any other State in the Union. 
At some remote period the -^-hole West was inundated, and 
when the water subsided an alluvial soil is presented in Illinois 
that cannot be surpassed. The surface has a gradual slope from 
north to south, which is sufficient to drain off the water and at 
the same time not to injure the agricultural efficiency of the 
country. Neither mountains, rocks, nor morasses exist in the 
ample dimensions of the State to injure it. Some unprofitable 



MY OWN TIMES. 2$ 

land may now be near the large streams, but in a few years, im- 
provements will reach them, and the whole State will then pre- 
sent an uninterrupted surface of cultivation teeming with agri- 
cultural wealth. 

The formation of the surface of the earth is a curiosity, and 
to solve the difficulty is impossible. In many parts of Illinois, 
and perhaps throughout the whole State, wood and bark of 
trees are found many feet below the surface. In digging wells 
for wate'*, these logs and brush-wood are frequently discovered 
at considerable depths. Mr. Pearce, in sinking a well on high 
ground in St. Clair County, found the wood and bark of a sassa- 
fras tree fifty-seven feet below the surface. To find wood and 
vegetable substances below the surface is quite common in Illi- 
nois. Also in sections of the State, a second soil is discovered 
when sinking wells. This second soil is black and alluvial, and 
in it are generally brush-wood and vegetable matter. The 
second soil is mostly found at the depth of eighteen or twenty 
feet. Near the sahnes, in Gallatin County and Big Muddy, 
earthen-ware has been discovered in the earth many feet be- 
low the surface. The presumption is, that the aborigines used 
this ware for the manufacture of salt. The question arises, how 
did this great stratum of matter become extended over this 
previous surface of the earth.? 

Another equally interesting curiosity is the "Lost Rocks" 
scattered throughout the prairies in the northern section of the 
State. The rocks are of the primitive-granite class, and as no 
other rocks exist near them of that species, they are designated 
"Lost Rocks." They are larger in the north than in the south 
of the State. Millstones were, in pioneer times, manufactured 
out of them. They are mostly a dark-brown color, and made 
such singular appearance in the prairies that they often 
frightened our horses when we were "ranging" in their vicinity,, 
in time of the war of 1812. 

The question forces itself on the mind, like the case of the 
second soil, how did these rocks find their way here.? No one 
believes they were formed where they are now. 

The most approved supposition is that the Western Valley 
was once a great lake, and these rocks were embedded in ice- 
bergs formed on the slopes of the Chippewaean Mountains to 
the North-West, and floated clown in the water tike the icebergs 
in the ocean. The larger rocks being in the North would favor 
this theory. Such subjects, and many others, will remain for- 
ever, locked up in the arcana of nature. One thing is certain, 
that the earth shows years of age beyond human computation. 
The Grand Prairie is situated east of the Kaskaskia River, and 
between Carlyle and Salem, and is nearly one hundred miles in 
circumference. 

Illinois was parceled out in 1800, between prairie and timbered 



26 MY OWN TIMES. 

lands. All south of a line extending from Kaskaskia by Perry 
and Franklin Counties, to White Cpunty on the Wabash River, 
is a timbered country, and north of it mostly the prairies inter- 
mix with timber. Toward the north of the State, the prairies 
are large, and the timber only exists on the margins of the 
streams, and other places where the fire could not reach it. 

Many learned essays are written on the origin of the prairies, 
but any attentive observer will come to the conclusion that it is 
fire burning the strong high grass that caused the prairies. 

I have witnessed the growth of the forest in these southern 
counties of Illinois, and know there is more timber in them now 
than there was forty or fifty years before. The obvious reason 
is, the fire is kept out. This is likewise the reason the prairies 
are generally the most fertile soil. The vegetation in them was 
the strongest, and the fires there burnt with the most power. 
The timber was destroyed more rapidly in the fertile soil than 
in the barren lands. It will be seen that the timber in the north 
of the State is found only on the margins of streams and other 
places where the prairie-fires could not reach it. 

It is one of the great elements in the rapid growth of Illinois 
that such large and fertile prairies exist in the State. Nature 
has made the prairies the finest and most fertile fields in the 
Union, and has prepared them ready for cultivation. If the 
State had been all timber, it would at this day be thirty or forty 
years behind its present high and prosperous position in the 
Union. 

There is not finer timber in America, east of the Rocky Moun- 
tains, than grows in Southern Illinois. This is the main reason 
that the northern part of Illinois is growing faster than the 
southern; but so soon as the timber in the south finds a good 
market, then Southern Illinois " will blossom as the rose." 
Where the soil is so productive as it is in Illinois, it is probable 
that it would be better for the State if there was not a tree in 
it. There is more money made by the production of corn and 
wheat than timber. 

CHAPTER X. 

Fort Chartres. — Its history. — Built ofWood in 1718. — Rebuilt of Rock 
in 1756. — The French abandon it in 1765. — English Seat of Govern- 
ment. — Walls washed down in 1772. — A heap of Ruins in 1855. 

When I first saw Fort Chartres, more than fifty years since, 
it presented the most singular and striking contrast between a 
savage wilderness, filled with wild beasts and reptiles, and the 
remains of one of the largest and strongest fortifications on the 
continent. Large trees were growing in the houses which once 
contained the elegant and accomplished French officers and 



MY OWN TIMES. 2/ 

soldiers. Cannon, snakes, and bats were sleeping together in 
peace in and around this fort. 

On the loth of September, 1712, Louis XIV, King of France, 
made a grant of a monopoly of the trade of Louisiana to M. 
Crozat, a wealthy merchant of Paris, for fifteen years ; but the 
commerce of the country not realizing the expectations of the 
grantee, he relinquished his grant to the King in 17 17. 

Under the agency of John Law, "the Company of the West" 
was established the same year, with great powers and privileges 
granted by the government of France. This company was 
organized to govern the country — make grants of land and 
enjoy a monopoly of the trade. 

By authority of this company, sometimes known as "the com- 
pany of the Indies," M. Pierre Duque Boisbriant, the representa- 
tive of the crown, and Marc Antoine de la Soire De Ursins, 
principal secretary of the company, arrived at Kaskaskia from 
New Orleans, with a small troop of soldiers. They had orders 
to select a site for a fort, and the same to be made the seat of 
government of Illinois. It was necessary to organize a govern- 
ment in the country, and to erect a fortress to repel the attacks 
of the Indians, if it should become necessary. It was also the 
policy of the French Government to establish a line of forts 
west of the English settlements on the Atlantic, from New 
Orleans to Quebec. This was one of the garrisons. 

This fort was first commenced of wood in the year 171 8, and 
completed in less than two years. It was located in the Ameri- 
can Bottom, about three miles from the eastern bluff of the 
Mississippi, and one mile at first from the river. The fortress 
was called, by way of eminence, Fort des Chartres, having a 
charter from the crown of France for its- erection. It is situated 
in the north-west corner of Randolph County. A large lake 
extends between the fort and the bluff, and at this day a slough 
containing water at times was near its western base; but this 
lagoon did not exist at the time the fort was erected. 

The first fort contained all the necessary buildings to accom- 
modate the seat of government of the country and the garrison. 
The quarters of the officers, and barracks for the soldiers, were 
finished in neat and becoming style of the country in pioneer 
times. Surrounding the whole was erected a strong palisade, 
fortified with earth between the walls of wood until it bid 
defiance to any enemy that might approach it in this remote 
situation. 

The head-quarters of M. Philip F. Renault were also estab- 
lished in this fort, and it was at this point where all his mining 
operations were concentrated. It was from this point he left 
Illinois in the year 1744, to return to France. About the time 
of his arrival in his native land, he died, and the mining opera- 
tions in Illinois seemed to wither and die with him. He re- 



28 MY OWN TIMES. 

mained in Illinois about twenty-four years, and seemed to 
possess a sound judgment and great energy. He imported from 
France two hundred artizans, mechanics, and laboring men, that 
was the first and the most profitable population Illinois had ever 
received from the mother-country at that early day. I\Iany of 
the French Creoles of this day in Illinois can trace their ances- 
tr\' back to the brave and meritorious race who immigrated to 
this countr}- in the year 1720, under the guidance of Renault. 
He also procured five hundred slaves at the Island of San 
Domingo, and brought them to Illinois to work the mines. 
These were the ancestors of the French slaves of Illinois, as 
heretofore stated. 

M. Boisbriant and De Ursans, representing the crown of 
France, and also the company of the Indies, made grants of 
land to facilitate the improvement of the country, and which 
grants are the most ancient west of the Alleghanies. These 
grants were issued at Fort Chartres, and dated, some of them, 
in the year 1722, and for many succeeding years. 

Under the mild and impartial government of the compan}-, 
the country commenced to grow and flourish, and the seat ot 
government, Fort Chartres, became the centre of business, 
fashion, and gaiety of all the Illinois Countr}'. The villages 
around Fort Chartres, became respectable and prosperous com- 
munities; but they ceased to exist with the fort, and the village 
of Fort Chartres was drozc/ied with, the fort in the flood of 1772. 
J The Company of the West was dissolved in the year 173 1, 

and Illinois again was governed by the crown of France. 
Boisbriant ceased to be governor of Illinois, and his successor 
was the brave and gallant young D'Artaquette. This officer 
was commandant and governor of Illinois in the year 1736, 
when Governor Bienville of Louisiana decided upon a campaign 
against the Chickasaw Indians. 

D'Artaquette, the governor of Illinois, exerted his influence 
over the various tribes of Indians west of Lake Michigan, and 
assembled one thousand warriors at Fort Chartres to descend 
the Mississippi to meet the army of Bienville from the South. 
The youthful and chiv-alrous Vincennes from the Wabash Coun- 
try united his forces with those of D'Artaquette, and with as 
many French soldiers as could be obtained, all set sail down the 
-i Mississippi from Fort Chartres, under the blessings of the clergy 
and roar of cannon and small arms. The army was defeated 
by the Chickasaws, and D'Artaquette, Vincennes, and some 
others, burnt to death at the stake. 

The next military governor of Fort Chartres was La Buis- 
soniere; and in the year 1739, he was called on by Bienville, 
governor of Louisiana, for a further supply of troops and In- 
dians, to chastise the Chickasaws. La Buissoniere left Fort 
Chartres with two hundred white soldiers and three hundred In- 



MY OWN TIMES. 29 

ciian allies, under the command of himself and M. Celeron and 
M. St. Laurent, his lieutenants, to join the Southern army. 

La Buissonierc was the successor of the unfortunate chevalier 
D'Artaquette, and continued commandant of Illinois for many- 
years. Under his administration the country increased in wealth 
and population. The agricultural interest assumed a greater 
efficiency and permanency, and commenced to invigorate the 
country after the free navigation of the Mississippi was secured 
from the disturbance of the Chickasaw Indians. 

La Buissoniere remained in command at Fort Chartres until 
the fall of the year 1751, when he was succeeded by the Cheva- 
lier Macarty. Macarty left New Orleans in August, 175 1, with 
troops to reenforce the posts on the Mississippi and Ohio 
Rivers, and took command of Fort Chartres. 

Under the administration of Chevalier Macarty, Fort Chartres 
was built entirely in the new, and was one of the most con- 
venient and strongest fortifications in North America. Its re- 
construction was of solid and durable limestone. The rocks 
were quarried at the bluff, three miles east of the fort, rafted 
and boated over a large lake, and then carted to the building. 
They were limestone rocks, which stood, with sullen defiance, 
the hand of time, but yielded to the destroying hand of man. 
This fort was constructed in and before the year 1756, to de- 
fend against the attacks of the English; as a war was then 
raging between France and England. 

In tile year 1766, Captain Pitman, an officer in the British 
army, who was expressly charged to examine and report on the 
British possessions on the Mississippi, and whose statements are 
acknowledged to be correct, says: "The Fort," referring to Fort 
Chartres, "is an irregular quadrangle; the sides of the exterior 
polygon are 490 feet. The walls are two feet two inches thick, 
and are pierced with loop-holes at regular distances, and for two 
port-holes for cannon in the faces, and two in the flanks of each 
bastion. The ditch has never been finished. The entrance to 
the fort is through a very handsome rustic gate. Within the 
walls is a banquette, raised three feet for the men to stand on, 
where they fire through the loop-holes. The buildings within 
the fort are a commandant's and commissioner's house. The 
magazine of stores; corps de guard; two barracks; those occupy- 
ing the square within the gorges of the bastion are a powder- 
house; a bake-house; a prison, in the lower floor, of which are 
four dungeons, and in the upper story, two rooms; and an out- 
house belonging to the commandant. The commandant's house 
is thirty-two yards long, and ten broad, and contains a kitchen, 
a dining-room, a bed-chamber, one small room, five closets for 
servants, and a cellar. The commissioner's house, now occupied 
by officers, is built on the same line as this, and its proportions 
and the distribution of its apartments are the same. Opposite 



30 MY OWN TIMES. 

these are the store-house, and the guard-house. They are each 
thirty yards long and eight broad. The former consists of two 
large store-rooms, under which there is a large vaulted-cellar, a 
large room, a bed-chamber, and a closet for the store -keeper; 
the latter a soldier's and officer's guard-room, a bed-chamber, a 
closet for the chaplain, and artillery store-room The lines of 
the barracks have never been finished; they at present consist of 
two rooms each for officers, and three for soldiers; they are each 
twenty feet square, and have betwixt them a small passage. 
There are fine spacious lofts over each building, which reach 
from end to end; these are made use of for two large regi- 
mental stores, working and entrenching tools, etc. It is gen- 
erally believed, this is the most convenient and best built fort 
in North America." . 

The above is the description of the fort after its being rebuilt 
with solid rock. This stone fortification, described by Captain 
Pitman, presents no incongruity, or misshapen appearance, that 
could for a moment make the impression that it was an addition 
to any other building. All the circumstances make it evident 
that the last-named fort was erected new entirely, and only 
retained the name and site of the previous wooden building. 

St. Ange de Belle Rive succeeded the Chevalier Macarty in 
the command of Fort Chartres, and retained possession of the 
fort and country until the arrival of Captain Sterling, of the 
British army. St. Ange was the last commandant of Fort 
Chartres under the French Government. Although th# treaty 
was signed in the year 1763, yet the country was not transferred 
to the British authority until the 17th of July, 1765, and then, 
the commandant, St. Ange, and his troops left Fort Chartres 
and took possession of the present site of St. Louis, in Upper 
Louisiana. 

The celebrated La Clede, the founder of St. Louis, Missouri, 
reached Fort Chartres in the fall of the year 1763, from New 
Orleans, with his large boat, and stored his goods in the fort 
until early spring. He left the fortress and arrived at the site 
of the present St. Louis in February, 1764. 

The British authorities, under Captain Stirling, assumed the 
government of Fort Chartres and the country. Captain Stirling- 
died in six months after he took possession of the fort, and the 
commandant at St. Louis, St. Ange, came back to Fort Chartres 
and assumed the command of the country until the successor of 
Captain Stirling arrived at the fort. This act of St. Ange was 
performed for the kindness he entertained for the people of Illi- 
nois, that the country should not remain without an organized 
government. 

Mkjor Frazier, sometimes known as Farmer, assumed the 
command of the fort after the death of Captain Stirling, and 
remained in command until Colonel Reed arrived and took pos- 



MY OWN TIMES. 31 

session. History presents Colonel Reed as a tyrant, and an 
unworthy commandant of the country. The next British officer 
who was in the command of the country was Colonel Wilkins. 
He reached Kaskaskia, 5th September, 1768, and assumed com- 
mand of the country. 

By authority of General Gage, Colonel Wilkins, on the 6th 
December, 1768, established a court of common-law, to be 
composed of seven judges; who held their sessions monthly at 
Fort Chartres. Colonel Wilkins made grants of land to the 
citizens, and exercised many other acts of sovereignty over the 
country. 

Charlevoix, the missionary traveller, stated, in the year 172 1, 
that the river was within a nmsket shot of the fort, and it seems 
the river was encroaching on the bank near Fort Chartres from 
the time that fortress, in 17 18, commenced its existence, and 
until the waters destroyed it in the year 1772. 

In the year 1724, judging by the complaints of the citizens 
of Kaskaskia to the government of France, a great flood of 
the Mississippi swept over the American Bottom, and no doubt 
washed the banks of the river near the fort. It is stated that 
in 1756, the fort was half a mile from the river; but the bank of 
the river next it was continually wearing off, and falling in the 
river. A sand-bar was formed in the river opposite the fortifi- 
cation, by which the water was violently dashed against the 
bank next the fort. This sand-bar grew large, and now is 
known, as the Fort Chartres Island. The water between the 
fort and Island was at first fordable, but afterwards it became 
forty feet deep. In 1766, the river was within eighty yards of 
the fortress. 

The English Government of the country abandoned Fort 
Chartres at the downfall of the fort, and established its author- 
ity at Fort Gage, on the bluff east of Kaskaskia. 

I examined this fort about thirty years after it was aban- 
doned; and it is strange! the large trees could grow in that 
short time which I saw in the houses, and within the walls of 
the fortification in many places. Vines and brush-wood grew 
round many parts of the walls and much of the surface of the 
fort. The south and east walls, when I first saw them, were 
remaining in their original shape, and they seemed to be about 
fifteen feet high, and were constructed to insure strength and 
durability. The gate-way was opened and the jams and 
cornices were of nicely cut rock. The powder-magazine, as it 
was called, was constructed in the most substantial manner. 

In 1820, D. Beck, the author of a Gazetteer of Illinois and 
Missouri, examined and measured the exterior walls. They are 
1447 feet around, and were, he states, fifteen feet high in certain 
places. The area of the fort is about four acres. Comparing 
together the measurement of Captain Pitman and D, Beck, it 



32 MY OWN TIMES. 

will be seen that about fifty-six feet wide of the entire west 
front of the fortification, with one side-wall, had been swept 
into the river. 

This magnificent fortress, built at so much expense, in the 
wilderness of America, and at the same time so strong and so 
durable, has been declining for the last eighty odd years, and at 
this day, presents only a large pile of ruins. 

I visited this fort on the loth October, 1854, and found it a 
pile of mouldering ruins. Its fallen and deplorable condition 
forcibly reminded me of Volney's beautiful invocation to the 
tombs. "Hail ye solitary ruins, ye sacred tombs and silent 
walls. 'Tis to you, my soul enrapt in meditation pours forth 
its prayer. * * * Xo me ye unfold the sublimest charms 
•of contemplation and sentiment, and offer to my senses the 
luxury of a thousand delicious and enchanting thoughts." 

And resembling the ruins of Palmira, mentioned by the 
French traveller, in which dwelt some poor Arabian peasant; so 
Fort Chartres in its decay contains an humble log-cabin "built 
within its crumbling walls." 

In places, the walls of this fort are torn away almost even, 
with the surface, and will all, I presume, be taken away in a few 
years. Even the site of this fort, like Troy and Babylon, per- 
haps, cannot be discovered in a few years. Thus perish the 
works of man. There is nothing; durable but God and Nature. 



CHAPTER XI. 

Fort Jefferson. — Its History. — Sketch of Captain Piggot's life. — Sick- 
ness of the Garrison.— Indian Assaults. — Heroic Defence. — Aban- 
donment of the Fort. — Piggot's Fort. — The Ferry opposite St. Louis, 
Missouri. 

Although* Fort Jefferson was established before MY OWN 
TIMES, yet so many incidents arising out of the establishment 
of this fort, extending into MY OWN TIMES, and so many of the 
pioneers of Illinois being connected with it, that I deem it 
proper, in the scope of my work, to give some sketches of the 
history of the fort. 

In 1 78 1, the government of Virginia, the great statesman, 
Thomas Jefferson, being governor, knew that the Spanish 
Crown pretended to have some claim on the country east of the 
Mississippi, below the mouth of the Ohio; and to counteract 
this claim, ordered General George Rogers Clark to erect a fort 
on the east side of the Mississippi, on the first eligible point 
below the mouth of the Ohio. 

General Clark, with his accustomed foresight and extraordi- 
nary energy, levied a considerable number of citizen -soldiers,, 



MY OWN TIMES. 33 

and proceeded from Kaskaskia to the high land, known at this 
•day as Mayfield's Creek, five miles below the mouth of the 
Ohio. Here, on the east side of the Mississippi, he erected a 
fort, and called it Jefferson, in honor of the then governor of 
Virginia. It was neglected to obtain the consent of the In- 
dians, for the erection of the fort, as the governor of Virginia 
had requested. This neglect proved to be a great calamity. 
Clark encouraged immigration to the fort, and promised the 
settlers lands. Captain Piggot and many others followed his 
■standard. 

The fort being established, General Clark was called away to 
the frontiers of Kentucky, and left the fort for its protection in 
the hands of Captain James Piggot, and the soldiers and citi- 
zens under him. 

Captain Piggot was a native of Connecticut, and was engaged 
in the privateering service in the Revolutionary War. He was 
in danger of assassination by the enemy in his native State, and 
emigrated to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was 
appointed captain of a company in the Revolution by the 
Legislature of his adopted State, and served under Generals 
St. Clair and Washington. He was in the battles of Brandy- 
wine, Saratoga, and marched to Canada. By severe marches, 
and hard service, his health was impaired so that he was forced 
to resign his captaincy, and, with his family, he left his residence 
in Westmoreland County, and came West with General Clark. 

Several families settled in the vicinity of Fort Jefferson, and 
some in it; but all attempted to cultivate the soil to some 
extent for a living. 

The Chickasaw and Chocktaw Indians became angry for the 
encroachments of the whites, and in August, 1781, commenced 
an attack on the settlements around the fort. The whole num- 
ber of warriors must have been ten or twelve hundred, headed 
by the celebrated Scotchman, Calbert, whose posterity figured 
as half-breeds. These tribes commenced hostilities on the set- 
tlements around Fort Jefferson. The Indians came first in 
small parties, which saved many of the inhabitants. If they 
had reached the settlement in a body, the whole white popula- 
tion outside of the fort would have been destroyed. 

As soon as the preparation for the attack of the Indians on 
the fort was certainly known, a trusty messenger was dispatched 
to the falls of the Ohio, as it was called at that day, and for 
years afterwards, for more provisions and ammunition. If sup- 
port did not arrive in time, the small settlements and garrison 
would be destroyed, and it was extremely uncertain if succor 
would reach the fort in time. 

The settlement and fort were in the greatest distress; almost 
starving, no ammunition, and such great distance from the set- 
tlements at Kaskaskia and the Falls. 



34 MY OWN TIMES. 

The first parties of Indians killed many of the inhabitants 
before they could be moved to the fort, and there was great 
danger and distress in marching them into the fort. Also, the 
sickness prevailed to such extent, that more than half were 
down sick at the time. The famine was so distressing that it 
was said they had to eat the pumpkins as soon as the blossoms 
fell off the vines. This Indian marauding and murdering pri- 
vate persons and families lasted almost two weeks before the 
main army of Indian warriors reached the fort. The soldiers 
aided and received in the fort all the white population that 
could be moved. The whole family of Mr. Music, exoept him- 
self, was killed, and inhumanly butchered by the enemy. Many 
other persons were also killed. In the skirmishes, a white man 
was taken prisoner, who was compelled, to save his life, to 
report the true state of the garrison. This information added 
fury to the already heated passions of the savages. 

After the arrival of the warriors, with Calbert at their head, 
they besieged the fort for six days and nights. During this 
time, no one can describe the misery and distress the garrison 
was doomed to suffer. The water had almost given out The 
river was falling fast, and the water in the weils sunk with the 
river. Scarcely any provisions remained, and the sickness raged 
so in the fort that many could not be stirred from the beds. 
The wife of Captain Piggot, and some others, died in the fort, 
and were buried inside of the walls while the Indians beseiged 
the outside. If no relief came, the garrison would inevitably 
fall into the hands of the Indians and be murdered. 

It was argued by the Indians with the white prisoner, tliat if 
he told the truth they would spare his life. He told them truly, 
that more than half in the fort were sick — that each man had 
not more than three rounds of ammunition, and that scarcely 
any provisions were in the garrison. On receiving this informa- 
tion, the whole Indian army retired about two miles to hold a 
council. They sent back Calbert and three Chiefs with a flag 
of truce to the fort. 

When the whites discovered the white flag, they sent out 
Captain Piggot, Mr. Owens, and one other man, to meet the 
Indian delegation. This was done for fear the enemy would 
know the desperate condition of the fort. The parley was con- 
ducted under the range of the guns of the garrison. Calbert 
informed them that they were sent to demand a surrender of 
the fort at discretion; that they knew the defenseless condition 
of the fort, and to surrender it might save much bloodshed. 
He further said: that they had sent a great force of warriors up 
the river to intercept the succor for which the whites had sent a 
messenger. This the prisoner had told them. Calbert promised 
he would do his best to save the lives of the prisoners, all if 
they would surrender, except a few whom the Indians had de- 



MY OWN TliMES. 35 

termined to kill. He said, the Indians are pressing for the 
spoils, and would not wait long. He gave the garrison one 
hour for a decision. 

On receiving this information, the garrison had an awful and 
gloomy scene presented to them. One person exclaimed, 
^' Great God direct tcs what to do in this awfid crisis!'' 

After mature deliberation, Piggot and the other delegates 
were instructed to say, that nothing would be said as to the 
information received from the prisoner. If we deny his state- 
ments you may kill him — we cannot confide in your promises to 
protect us; but we will promise, if the Indians will leave the 
country, the garrison will abandon the fort and country as soon 
as possible. Calbert agreed to submit this proposition in coun- 
cil to the warriors. But on retiring, Mr. Music, whose family 
was murdered, and another man shot at Calbert, and a ball 
wounded him. This outrage was greatly condemned by the 
garrison, and the two transgressors were taken into custody. 
The wound of Calbert was dressed, and he guarded safely to 
the Indians. 

The warriors remained long in council, and by a kind Provi- 
dential act, the long-wished for succor did arrive in safety from 
the "Falls." The Indians had struck the river too high up, and 
thereby the boat with the supplies escaped. The provisions and 
men were hurried into the fort, and preparations were made to 
resist a night-attack by the warriors. Every preparation that 
could be made for the defence of the fort was accomplished. 
The sick and small children were placed out of the way of the 
combatants, and all the women and children of any size were 
instructed in the art of defence. The warriors, shortly after 
dark, thought they could steal on the fort and capture it ; but 
when they were frustrated, they, with hideous yelis and loud 
savage demonstrations, assaulted the garrison and attempted to 
storm it. The cannon had been placed in proper position to 
rake the walls, and when the warriors mounted the ramparts, 
the cannon swept them off in heaps. The enemy kept up a 
stream of fire from their rifles on the garrison, which did not 
much execution. In this manner the battle raged for hours; 
but at last the enemy were forced to recoil, and withdraw from 
the deadly cannon of the fort. Calbert and other Chiefs again 
urged the warriors to the charge, but the same result to retire 
was forced on them again. Men and women at that day were 
soldiers by instinct. It seemed they could not be otherwise. 

The greatest danger was for fear the fort would be set on fire. 
A large dauntless Indian, painted for the occasion, by some 
means got on top of one of the block-houses, and was applying 
fire to the roof. A white soldier, of equal courage, went out of 
the block-house and shot the Indian as he was blowing the fire 
to the building. The Indian fell dead on the outside of the 
fort, and was packed off by his comrades. 



36 MY OWN TIMES. 

After a long and arduous battle, the Indians withdrew from 
the fort. They were satisfied ; the Indians had arrived at the 
garrison and they could not storm it. They packed off all the 
dead and wounded. Many were killed and wounded of the 
Indians, as much blood was discovered in the morning around 
the fort. Several of the whites were also wounded, but none 
mortally. This was one of the most desperate assaults made 
by the Indians in the West, on a garrison so weak and dis- 
tressed and defenseless. 

The whites were rejoiced at their success, and made prepara- 
tions to abandon the premises with all convenient speed. The 
citizen-soldiers at Fort Jefferson all abandoned the fort; and 
some wended their way to Kaskaskia, and others to the Falls. 
Captain Piggot, with many of his brave companions, arrived at 
Kaskaskia and remained there some years. 

This flood of brave and energetic immigrants, so early as the 
year 1781, was the first considerable acquisition of American 
population Illinois received. Many of the most worthy and re- 
spectable families of Illinois can trace back their lineage to this 
illustrious and noble ancestry, and can say, with pride and 
honor, that my forefathers fought in the Revolution to conquer 
the valley of the Mississippi. 

About the year 1783, Captain Piggot established a fort not 
far from the bluff in the American Bottom, west of the present 
town of Columbia, in Monroe County, which was called Piggot's 
Fort, or the fort of the grand Risseau. This was the largest 
fortification erected by the Americans in Illinois, and at that 
day, was well defended with cannon and small arms. In 1790 
sometime. Captain Piggot and forty-five other inhabitants at 
this fort, called the Big Run in English, signed a petition to 
Governor St. Clair, praying for grants of land to the settlers. 
It is stated in that petition, that there were seventeen families 
in the fort. I presume it was on this petition that the act of 
Congress was passed, granting to every settler on the public 
land in Illinois, four hundred acres, and a militia donation of a 
hundred acres to each man enrolled in the militia service of 
that year. 

Governor St. Clair knew the character of Captain Piggot in 
the army of the Revolution, and appointed him the presiding 
judge of the court of St. Clair County. 

Captain Piggot, in the year 1795, established the first ferry 
across the Mississippi, opposite St. Louis, Missouri, known now 
as Wiggin's Ferry ; and Governor Tradeau, of Louisiana, gave 
him license for a ferry, and to land on the west bank of the 
river in St. Louis, with the privilege to collect the ferriage. He 
died at the ferry, opposite St. Louis, in the year 1799, after hav- 
ing spent an active and eventful life in the Revolution, and in. 
the conquest and the early settlement of the West. 



MY OWN Times. 37 



CHAPTER XII. 



The French in 1800. — A Different Population. — Devout Christians. — ■ 
A Happy People. — Observance of the Sabbath. — Fond of Dancing. 
— Dress. — Taste for the Fashions. — No Ambition for Athletic Sports. 

The immigrants of the French villages being from different 
sections of the continent, made some difference in the popula- 
tion, Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher were mostly colonized 
from Mobile and New Orleans, and Cahokia from Canada. 
The language possessed a shade of difference, as well as their 
habits. In the first-named village, the inhabitants partook of 
the sunny South, more than those who settled in Cahokia from 
Canada. A shade more of relaxation, gaiety, hilarity, and 
dancing, prevailed in Kaska.skia and Prairie du Rocher than in 
Cahokia. It may be, the immigrants from France to the north 
and south of the continent of North America, may have been 
from different provinces of the mother-country, which made the 
difference above mentioned in the early French pioneers of 
Illinois. 

The masses of the French were an innocent and happy 
people. They were devotedly attached to the Roman Catholic 
Church, and had lived for many generations in strict obedience 
to the Christian principles taught by that Church. They were 
removed from the corruption of large cities, and enjoyed an 
isolated position in the interior of North America. In a 
century before 1800, they were enabled to solve the problem: 
that neither wealth, nor splendid possessions, nor an extraor- 
dinary degree of ambition, nor energy, ever made a people 
happy. These people resided more than a thousand miles from 
any other colony, and were strangers to wealth or poverty ; but 
the Christian virtues governed their hearts, and they were 
happy. One virtue among others was held in high estimation, 
and religiously observed. Chastity with the Creoles was a si7ie 
qua non, and a spurious offspring was almost unknown among 
them. It is the immutable decree to man from the Throne 
itself, that in proportion to the introduction of sin and guilt 
into the heart, in the same proportion happiness abandons the 
person. 

The early French were forced to practise that excellent in- 
junction in the Lord's prayer, "lead us not into temptation." 
This was a negative lever, if such can exist, in their humble and 
innocent happiness. 

Another principle these French pioneers established, that in- 
nocent gaiety, recreation, and amusement are compatible with 
religion and happiness. These people also observed the Sab- 



38 MY OWN TIMES. 

bath-day in a different manner than many other religious sects 
do. The proper observance of the Sabbath is, hke many other 
rehgious duties, difficult to attain. To keep the Sabbath-day 
holy is just and right; but the performance of the duty is the 
difficulty. 

For a thousand years past, these Catholic French, and their 
ancestors in Europe, made the Sabbath a day of religion, rest, 
recreation, and innocent amusement. The Creoles of Illinois 
observed the custom in this respect, and were happy. Every in- 
dividual, and every religious denomination, must observe the 
Sabbath, like other religious duties, in that manner that is dic- 
tated by the conscience. On this subject, in practice there can- 
not be any exact form laid down by which human actions can 
be governed. But one thing is certain: that the institution of 
the Sabbath, and its proper observance, is one of the greatest 
elements of human happiness, and an individual or nation that 
does not observe the command to keep holy the Sabbath-day, 
according to their own conscience, is on the road to misery and 
ruin. 

The French generally, and the early Creoles particularly, 
were passionately fond ojf dancing. The gay and mefry dispo- 
sition of the French, adopted this mode of social amusement. 
To enjoy the dancing-saloon was almost a passion among the 
early French, and for the enjoyment of which they made many 
effiDrts. No people ever conducted the ballroom with more 
propriety than they did. Decorum and punctilious manners 
were enforced by public opinion. No liquor, cigars, or loud 
blustering remarks were tolerated in their dancing assemblies. 
All classes, ages, and degrees assembled together, and made 
one large family in these ballrooms. The aged would at times 
dance; but they performed a higher duty. The discreet and 
aged females kept an eye sharp and searching over the giddy 
youth. Frequently the priest attended the early part of the 
evening in the balls, and saw that the innocent and proper 
observance of just principles be the order of the party. 

My observation leads me to this conclusion on dancing: that 
when this amusement is kept in the proper channel of inno- 
cence and purity, clear of extravagance of all descriptions, that 
it is a harmless and innocent amusement, and might be enjoyed 
compatibly with religion, or any other duties of life. 

The same taste of the French to enjoy the dance, made them 
pay much attention to their dress. No people, with the same 
humble means, made a better display in their dress than the 
Creoles did. The first shade of a new fashion from New Or- 
leans — which was the Paris of fashions to Illinois — was caught 
up here by the females, and displayed at their mast-heads. 
The French resided in villages, and a continual sluice of the 
voluble Creole language would reach every female in the town 
on the subject of the new fashions. 



MY OWN TIMES. 39 

It may be remarked, in connection with this subject, that 
when the English possessed the country in 1765, most of the 
wealthy inhabitants left Illinois, and settled on the west side of 
■of the Mississippi. On this account, the fashions frequently 
reached Illinois from Miser and Pain Court, the names by 
which Ste. Genevieve and St. Louis were called in early times. 

The working and voyaging dress of the French masses was 
simple and primitive. The French were like the lilies of the 
valley, they neither spun nor wove any of their clothing, but 
purchased it from the merchants. The white blanket -coat, 
known as the capot, was the universal and eternal coat for the 
winter with the masses. A cape was made to it, that could be 
raised over the head in cold weather. 

In the house, and in good weather, it hung behind, a cape to 
the blanket- coat. The reason I know these coats so well is: 
that I have worn many in my youth, and a working-man never 
wore a better garment. Dressed deer-skin and blue cloth were 
worn commonly in the winter for pantaloons. The blue hand- 
kerchief, and the deer-skin moccasins, covered the head and 
feet generally of the French Creoles. In 1800, scarcely a man 
thought himself clothed, unless he had a belt tied around his 
blanket-coat; and it was hung on one side the dressed skin of a 
polecat, filled with tobacco, pipe, flint, and steel. On the other 
.side was fastened, under the belt, the butcher-knife. A Creole 
in this dress felt a little like Tam o' Shanter filled with usque- 
baugh, "he could face the devil." Checked calico-shirts were 
then common; but in winter, flannel was frequently worn by 
the voyagers and others. In the summer, the laboring -men 
and the voyagers often took their shirts off in hard work and 
hot weather, and turned out the naked back to the air and sun. 
I have conversed with them on this custom. They said, their 
shirts would be dry from the perspiration, at night, to put on 
them. 

The habits of labor and energy with the French were moder- 
ate. Their energy or ambition never urged them to more than 
an humble and competent support. To hoard up wealth was 
not found written in their hearts, and very few practised it. 
They'were a temperate, moral people. They very seldom in- 
dulged in drinking liquor. They were at times rather intem- 
perate in smoking and dancing; but seldom indulged in either 
to excess at the same time or place. 

All classes observed a strict morality against hunting or fish- 
ing on the Sabbath; but they played cards for amusement 
often on the Sabbath. This they considered one of the inno- 
cent pastimes that was not prohibited to a Christian. 

They had no taste for either horse-racing or foot-racing, 
wrestling, jumping, or the like; and did not often indulge in 
these sports. Shooting fowls on the wing, and breaking wild 
horses afforded the French considerable amusement. 



40 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

The Americans in 1800, and some years thereafter. — Emigrants from' 
the South and West. — Exahed Notions of Freedom and Indepen- 
dence. — Self-ReUance. — Different Employments. — Raising Cabins. — 
Family in the House the same day it was Raised. — Frolics. — Amuse- 
ments. — Dancing. — Running for the Bottle at a Wedding,*— The 
Dress of the People. — Factory Goods came to Illinois in 1816 and 
1818. 

The Americans were almost entirely emigrants from the 
Western States: Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and some 
from Pennsylvania and Maryland, and the manners and cus- 
toms of those States were represented in Illinois by the pio- 
neers. A New-England emigrant was not common at that 
day. Although the pioneers knew little and cared less about 
literature, yet, they entertained just and sound principles of 
liberty. No people delighted in the free and full enjoyment of 
a free government more than they d?d. This passion for free- 
dom made strong impressions on them, and governed their 
actions and conduct to some extent, in almost everything. 
This idea of liberty gave them a personal independence, and 
confidence in themselves that marked their actions through life. 

This notion of excessive independence frequently brought 
them into conflicts and personal combats with each other. 
Bloody noses and black-eyes were the results. It also gave 
them a trait of character, that made them believe they were 
adequate and competent to any emergency, and frequently 
commenced enterprises above their power to accomplish. 

The nature and condition of the country forced on the pio- 
neers intelligence and enterprise. It enabled them to with- 
stand the hardships and privations of the settlement of a new 
country and the shocks of war itself 

The necessities of the occasion often forced the backwoods'- 
people into singular and different employments and conditions- 
of life. Sometimes they were compelled to act as mechanics, 
to make their ploughs, harness, and other farming implements. 
Also, to tan their leather. At times they were forced to hunt 
game to sustain their families. In war, when they were called 
on to defend the frontiers, they frequently unhitched their 
horses from the plow, mounted them, and appeared with their 
guns, ready and willing to march to any part of the globe to 
chastise the Indians. 

When they needed meal, and the mills were dry, they 
pounded the corn in mortars into meal, or eat potatoes, if they 
were grown, without bread. 



MY OWN TIMES. 4I 

The pioneers were exceedingly kind and friendly when a log- 
cabin was to be raised. Asked or not, they gathered together,, 
and enjoyed a backwoods'-frolic in putting it up. 

At early pioneer -times, with all classes and ranks, dancing 
was the leading amusement. For many miles around, male 
and female assembled and danced the whole night. The forms 
of the old dance were different than at present. Jigs and four- 
handed reels were the most common. ♦ 

A part of the rural sport in pioneer times enjoyed at a wed- 
ding, was running for the bottle. The bride and the bride- 
groom had parties volunteer to run for the stake. A bottle 
was filled with whiskey, and embellished with ribbons. This 
was held by the judges, and all that pleased entered the horses' 
to run for the bottle. A mile, or more, was the distance, 
when it was won, it was presented, with much backwoods' taste 
and politeness, to the party by whom the victory was achieved. 

In many settlements, it required every man in it to be pre- 
sent at a "house-raising," or otherwise the labor was too heavy. 
The hands on the ground handed up the logs, and the cabin 
was generally covered before night. 

The clapboards to cover the house were split out of large 
trees, and placed on round poles, called "ribs," and weight- 
poles were laid on the boards to secure them to their places. 
Not a nail, or any iron of any sort, hinge, or any thing of iron^ 
was seen about the house. 

Often the imigrant and family lived in a camp until his 
house was up and covered. His neighbors frequently cut the 
door out in the house the same day, so that the family might 
move into it, out of the camp, the same day the cabin was 
raised. 

Old and young indulged in much sport and amusement at 
these "house- raisings." It was, in fact, sport to raise these 
cabins. I was always delighted to know of a "raising," and 
generally present. I never possessed the least mechanical 
talent, and, therefore, never raised a corner; but as an axeman, 
I split clapboards or the like. 

The amusements occurred generally when the axemen were 
notching down the corners. The young ones were jumping, 
wrestling, or running foot-races. Leap-frog was often indulged 
in by old and young. Sometimes, shooting at marks was prac- 
tised. Many carried their guns to these "raisings." 

It was often amusing to hear a Kentuckian relate his ad- 
ventures on flat-boats, "the old Broad Horn," to New Orleans. 
At times a bottle, called "Black Betty," filled with Mononga- 
hela whiskey, would make its appearance at these "house- 
raisings," and then was told the "hair-breadth escapes" and 
adventures of the pioneers. 

Sometimes a Kentucky-boatman appeared at these frolics^ 



42 MY OWN TIMES. 

Perhaps he had been one of those celebrated characters known 
on the western rivers, as "half-horse, half-aligator, and tipped 
with the snapping- turtle." One story from him will be pre- 
sented. He said he landed his boat on a dark night at Louis- 
ville, and back of the town, the negroes had a corn-shucking. 
Many darkies were present, and the corn -heap was divided. 
Captains of the blacks were selected, and the hands divided. 
Rans were put across the corn-pile for a division, and each 
party had his half of the pile to husk. A race was commenced 
in this manner, that became frequently vefy exciting with the 
blacks, and often with the whites also, under this system. 

The boatmen wanted a frolic, and filled their hunting-shirts, 
when belted around them, with round stones, picked up at the 
edge of the Ohio River. /2,In the dark, the boatmen slipped up 
near the darkies, who were singing and shucking the corn, and 
would throw a rock at the black crowd, when the darkies could 
not see the rock, or whence it came. Often the blood came 
trinkling from the faces of the Africans, and they would pre- 
sume it was an ear of corn thrown by the opposite contending 
party. At the same time, another boatman would throw an- 
other rock at the other party. The blacks would swear at each 
■other, and make tremendous threats. Before they closed their 
threats, another rock from a boatman would strike another 
darky; so that in a short time the whole negro assembly were 
in a general battle- royal, and the boatmen hid enjoying the 
sport. The overseers, and other whites present, were often 
troubled much to quiet these negro-battles. 

I saw in the moonlight, at one of these pioneer-gatherings, 
a wild and dangerous frolic played off, that might have killed 
two men. 

At the top of the hill, where the house of my father stood, 
there were some large gums filled with wet ashes, after the 
ley had been run off. The gums were heavy — some had been 
rolled down the hill, and a talented wild backwoodsman, James 
Hughes, got two men, who were a little excited with the Mo- 
nongahela, to roll down the hill one of these gums. As they 
got the gum in pretty fast motion down the hill, Hughes came 
behind them, and pushed them both over the rolling gum. It 
was very large, and rolled over one of the men, and the other 
scuffled out at one end, it rolling over only his feet and legs. 
The man the gum rolled over was considerably hurt. His 
head and body were much bruised. It made a great laugh and 
much sport for the boosy party. 

The pioneer, James Hughes, who played this trick in rolling 
the gums, was an excellent man of sound judgment and strict 
integrity. 

Another trick was practised on some persons at another 
backwoods'-frolic, which caused some bruised feet. 



MY OWN TIMES. 43 

It was a fashion at these meetings, and under the influence 
of liquor, to kick one another's hats. These hats were gener- 
ally wool and frequently worn for years ; so that they were not 
much injured by the operation. Hughes saw some pots in the 
shade of the house, and put hats over them. Then he got a 
few of those loving the sport of kicking, to move their play in 
the neighborhood of the covered pots. They kicked the hats 
on the pots, to the great injury of their toes. This trick ma'de 
great merriment. 

The common dress of the American pioneer was very similar. 
Home-made wool -hats were the common wear. Fur -hats 
were not common, and scarcely a boot was seen. The cover- 
ing of the feet in the winter was mostly moccasins made of 
deer-skin, and shoe-packs of tanned leather. Some wore shoes, 
but not common in very early times. In the summer, the 
greater portion of the young people, male and female, and 
many of the old, went barefooted. The substantial and uni- 
versal outside wear was the blue linsey hunting-shirt. This is 
an excellent garment, and I never have felt so happy and 
healthy since I laid it off. It is made with wide sleeves, open 
before, with ample size, so as to envelope the body with its 
folds, almost twice around. Sometimes it has a large cape, 
which answers well to save the shoulders from the rain. A belt 
is mostly used, to keep the garment close and neat around the 
person, and nevertheless, there is nothing tight in it to hamper 
the body. It is often fringed, and at times the fringe is com- 
posed of red, and other gay colors. The belt frequently is 
sewed to the hunting-shirt. At times, a belt of leather with a 
buckle sewed to one end is used. Many pioneers wore the 
white blanket-coats in the winter. They are, as well as the 
hunting-shirt, an excellent garment. They are made loose, and 
a cap or a cape to turn over the head in extreme cold weather. 
I have worn them almost every winter, when I was young. 
The vest was mostly made of striped linsey. The colors were 
made often with alum, copperas, and madder, boiled with the 
bark of trees, in such manner and proportions as the old ladies 
prescribed. The shirts worn by the Americans were generally 
home-made of flax and cotton-material. Some voyagers and 
hunters among the Americans wore calico and checked shirts, 
but not common. The flax and cotton were raised at home, 
and manufactured into shirts. Looms and flax-breaks were 
at that day quite common, and cotton-gins made of wooden 
rollers. 

In the colonies of the American Bottom, and the New De- 
sign, a considerable number of sheep were raised, which fur- 
nished the wool used at that day. * 

The pantaloons of the masses were generally made of deer- 
skins and linsey. Course blue cloth was at times made into 



44 MY OWN TIMES. 

pantaloons. At that day, the factory-goods did not exist. 
The factory-goods, from New England and Kentucky, reached 
Illinois about 1818, and then looms, cotton, etc., disappeared — 
spinning also ceased then. Almost every pioneer had a rifle 
and carried it almost wherever he went. 

I have often seen many rifles stacked away outside of the 
house of worship, while the congregation were within attend- 
ing the service. Almost everybody was then a hunter, and 
they might see a deer on Sunday as well as on other days. 

Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed gen- 
erally the outside garments of the females as well as the males, 
in the olden times. The ladies had the linsey colored and 
wove to suit their fancy, which made a neat and comfortable 
clothing for winter. 

The youngsters, females as well as males, did not always 
wear covering on their feet, except at meeting or dances. 

A bonnet, composed of calico, or some gayly-checked goods, 
was worn on the head when they were in the open air. Jew- 
elry on the pioneer-ladies was uncommon. A gold ring was an 
ornament not often seen. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The Progress of the Country for five years from 1800. — Sickness. — 
"Seasoning" of Emigrants. — Settlements, Ridge Prairie. — Goshen. — 
Name of Goshen. — Blair on the Site of Belleville. — Setdements East 
and South-West of Belleville. — Colonies in Horse Prairie, East of 
Kaskaskia. — The French Colonies. — Pioneer-Squatters on the Public 
Lands. — Murders of the Indians. — New Mill. — Shawneetown. — Sa- 
line Purchased by the Indians. — Shawneetown Commenced. — Mr. 
Bell Leased the Saline. — Big Bay. — Daniel's and Wood-River Settle- 
ments Commenced. — Wilderness Yields to Improvements. — Popu- 
lation. 

During this period, Illinois was isolated from the States, 
and was a remote, weak, and desolate colony. The population 
and improvements increased slowly. The frontiers were gradu- 
ally enlarged. Additions were made to the various colonies, 
and the country commenced to be known more thorotighly 
throughout the Western States. The idea prevailed at that 
day, that Illinois was "a graveyard," which retarded its settle- 
ment. Only those settled in it, whose judgment overcame the 
prejudice that was raised against the health of the country. 
And, in fact, the country w9s at that day much more severely 
visited by the bilious diseases than at present. The vegetation 
was stronger and more abundant then than at present, and the 



MY OWN TIMES. 45 

inhabitants were more exposed then than they are at this time. 
The seasoning, as it was called, then was almost certain to visit 
every imigrant the first or the second year after his arrival in 
the country. 

In 1802, the settlements of the Ridge Prairie, north of Belle- 
ville, and the Goshen settlement, were formed. The last- 
named colony embraced about the present limits of Madison 
County. The large, moral, and worthy family of the Gilhams 
and connections, formed a great portion of the Goshen settle- 
ment. The Whiteside family and connections, also large and 
respectable, located in the same colony. The leading pioneers 
and patriarchs of this settlement were Samuel Judy; five aged 
and respectable brothers, Thomas, John, William, James, and 
Isaac Gilham; William B., Samuel, Joel, and others of the 
Whiteside family ; these, together with others too numerous to 
mention, laid the foundation of the present county of Madison 
in and about the time above mentioned. 

The name of Goshen was given to this locality of Illinois 
by the Rev. David Badgley — he and others visited it in 1801, 
and gave it the name of Goshen. 

About the same year, the Lemens, Ogles, Badgleys, Kinney, 
Whitesides, Phillips, Riggs, Varner, Redman, Stout, Pulliam, 
and others, formed the colony situated north and east of the 
present city of Belleville. 

George Blair, this year, settled on the site of the present city 
of Belleville, and his cornfield then occupied the public square 
of this city. Eyeman, Stookey, Miller, Teter, and others, 
formed the colony a few miles south-west of Belleville. All 
these settlements were included in the county of St. Clair. 

In Randolph County, the settlements increased in the Horse 
Prairie, on the Kaskaskia River, and near Levens' Mill, on , 
Horse Creek. The founders of these colonies were Levens, 
Teter, Pulliam, Grovenor, Going, and others. Beaird, Fulton, 
Huggins, McCullough, Bilderback, Roberts, Lively, and a few 
others, were added to the colony east of Kaskaskia, where my 
father resided. 

In this period, the French population might have increased 
some few, and the improvement made by them may have been 
some little enlarged — the natural increase was nearly all the 
accession. The imigrants from Canada numbered about as 
many as left the country and died in the mountains and on the 
rivers. 

The population of Illinois within two years may have in- 
creased some few hundreds, but scarcely a thousand souls in 
all. 

It must be recollected that a great portion of these new 
settlements above mentioned were formed by inhabitants al- 
ready residing in the country, and not entirely by immigrants. 



46 MY OWN TIMES. 

The improvements of farms kept about equal pace with the 
increase and extension of the settlements. Almost every in- 
habitant was a farmer, and made some improvements, mostly 
on the public domain. At this early day, the public lands were 
not surveyed or in market, so that the most of the pioneers 
were sqiiattcrs on the government lands. 

A few only had purchased "floating rights," and others pa- 
tented lands, and were settled on them. The ancient inhabi- 
tants of Illinois had grants made to them of their lands occu- 
pied at the time, and some of these lands were purchased by 
the immigrants who lived on them; but the other improve- 
ments, besides the farms, were not advanced at all. 

A io."^ mills might have been erected, but no school-houses 
or church edifices were built new in the country. Some few 
schools at this day existed in the old colonies, but none in the 
new settlements. 

In connection with the settlement of Goshen, a blood-thirsty 
murder was committed in 1802. Turkey Foot, a savage chief 
of the Pottawatomies, and a few of his warriors, murdered Alex- 
ander Dennis and John Vanmeter, at the foot of the bluff, four 
miles south-west of the present town of Edwardsville. This 
was a wanton and barbarous murder of two good citizens, in 
time of peace and without provocation. 

The colony was feeble and unprepared to pursue the Indians, 
and they escaped with impunity. Gov. Harrison made a requi- 
sition on the nation to give up the murderers: but none were 
surrendered, and the matter dropped. An unprovoked mur- 
der, committed by the Indians, occurred in 1805, in the present 
county of Gallatin. Mr. Duff was killed near the Island Ripple 
in the Saline Creek, and he was buried near the old salt-spring. 
It was supposed the Indians were hired to commit the murder. 
Here rested the murder of Duff. 

Tate and Singleton, this year, 1802, erected a good water- 
mill on the Fountain Creek, a few miles north-west of the pre- 
sent town of Waterloo. This mill did a good business for sev- 
eral years: but is abandoned at this time. About this period, 
General Edgar made salt at his saline at the bluff in the pre- 
sent county of Monroe, nearly opposite Waterloo. 

In this year, Michiel Sprinkle, a gunsmith, was the first white 
man who resided in Shawneetown, situated on the Ohio River, 
Gallatin County. The Indians requested Governor Harrison 
to permit him to reside with them to repair their guns. 

The next settler was La Boissiere, a Frenchman. He traded 
with the Indians, fished, and kept an "humble ferry" on the 
Ohio, to cross the citizens to and from the Ohio salt works, 
which were back about twelve miles. This was the nticleiis 
around which Shawneetown commenced, in 1802. 

Shawneetown was occupied by a village of the Shawnee In- 



MY OWN TIMES. 4/ 

dians, for many ages, and it was the place where Major Crog- 
han, the English officer, camped in his explorations of the 
country, in 1765. He had a battle there with the Indians. 

When this site was first occupied, in modern times, it was 
covered with a dense canebrake, and the squatters in it were 
located on the public lands. 

The old salt-spring, and its environs, situated about twelve 
miles north-west of Shawneetown, attracted the attention of the 
imigrants about this time, and around it commenced a colony. 
This settlement increased and extended in every direction, until 
a sparse colony was formed around the salt-works and Shawnee- 
town, before the year 1805. 

In 1803, Governor Harrison purchased of the Indians the 
salt-works, and some land around them. The same year, Cap- 
tain Bell, of Lexington, Kentucky, leased the saline, which 
caused the imigration to this section of Illinois. 

On Big-Bay Creek, not far from the Ohio River, on or before 
1805, several families had permanently settled. These colonies 
were weak, and surrounded with Indians, yet they sustained 
themselves, and have now the honor to be numbered in the 
front ranks of the pioneers of Southern Illinois. 

On the old Fort Massacre road to Kaskaskia, where it cross- 
ed Big Muddy River, a settlement was made in 1804; and a 
few miles east, on the same road, were the settlements of 
Phelps and Daniels, which were commenced some short time, 
and sustained themselves. Also, on Grand Pierre Creek, above 
the present Golconda, in Pope County, settlements commenced 
in 1805, and continued, although much embarrassed at the time. 
On Big Muddy, in tlie present county of Jackson, two families, 
Griggs and Noble, were the first to plant civilization in that 
locality. 

In 1804, Wood River settlement, north of Goshen, was estab- 
lished by the Pruitts and Stocktons, Jones, Rattans, and others, 
and the Six-Mile Prairie, in the present county of Madison, was 
increased by the families of Cummins, Gilham, Carpenter, 
Waddle, and others, considerably. The Ridge Prairie, in 
Madison and St. Clair Counties, received many permanent set- 
tlers before 1805. Barney Bone, Charles Wakefield, A. Bank- 
son, and perhaps some others, made the first settlement east of 
Silver Creek, in St. Clair County, in the spring of 1804. This 
f location was made on the high land, east of the creek and south 
of the present road from Belleville to Hanover. Another set- 
tlement was formed a few miles north of the present town of 
Lebanon, by Bradsby, Galbreath, and others, about this same 
time. The next year, considerable settlements were made to- 
ward the mouth of Silver Creek and on the Kaskaskia River — 
Jordan, Thomas, and others, located this year, 1805, near Sil- 
ver Creek, south-east of Shiloah. 



48 MY OWN TIMES. 

The French villages in St. Clair County, known as "the 
French and Quentine villages," were commenced in 1805, and 
prospered for some years considerably. 

The Turkey Hill colony, which had been established by the 
■venerable patriarch, William Scott, in the year 1787, also in- 
creased its frontiers to some extent about this time. The settle- 
ment south-west of the present city of Belleville also enlarged 
its dimensions. 

In the year 1805, about fifteen families from South Carolina 
settled on the east side of the Kaskaskia River, about ten miles 
above Kaskaskia, and made a respectable colony, where their 
decendants enjoy peace, comfort, and happiness to this day. 

The whole country, during these five years, commenced, in a 
small degree, to change its character. The extreme backwoods 
habits of hunting, sporting, gaming, and idleness, were gradu- 
ally laid aside, and more industry, more cultivation of the earth, 
and more ambition to accumulate wealth, commenced; the rifle 
and bee-bait were exchanged for the plow and the jack-plane; 
cabins were sometimes adorned with stone chimneys, and the 
dogs for hunting were dismissed; band mills, propelled by horse 
power, took the place of the old hand mill and mortars, worked 
by man power; school -houses, to a small extent, were erected, 
and the gospel preached in some sections of the country at and 
about the close of this period; the bibles and spelling-books 
took the place of the rifles and the steel -traps, and a savage 
wilderness commenced to yield to Christianity and civilization. 
Much was still to be done in- Illinois, after this period, but 
•much was also done during these five years. 

It is almost impossible to be exactly correct as to the in- 
crease of population in this period. It is estimated that in 1803 
there were three thousand inhabitants in the Territory, and per- 
haps one thousand more might be added with safety for the in- 
crease in two years, so that at the end of the year 1805, four 
thousand souls, French and Americans, may be considered 
about correct in Illinois. 



CHAPTER XV. 

The Morals of the Illinois Pioneers. ^ 

The poverty of the country in early times, and the sparse- 
ness of the population, must furnish the reason that the pio- 
neers of the country at an early day were more moral than the 
people are at present. It requires the means, as well as the in- 
tention, to commit sin. One other reason is, perhaps, that in 
early times the people being fewer in number and knew one 
another better than they do now. Then pubhc opinion was 



MY OWN TIMES. 49 

more certain to fix on a crime and criminal than it is now, when 
the people are so numerous and seem to be more irresponsible. 
It is my sincere conviction that morality was more practised 
and more respected in early times in Illinois than it is at this 
day. I have lived through all the various scenes and changes 
in the country for more than half a century, and have almost 
the whole of this period been amongst the people. Under 
these circumstances I cannot be mistaken; and I state that the 
people fifty years since, in Illinois, were more moral than they 
are at this time. 

A white man and an Indian were hung for murder in Kas- 
kaskia, one in 1802, and the other in 1804, and none other was 
hung in Illinois until 182 1, in Belleville. In twenty-two years, 
to have but two capital punishments, one an Indian, is speaking 
volumes for the morality of the people. Thefts were of rare 
occurrence; and forgery, perjury, and similar crimes were seldom 
perpetrated. 

The courts were in session four times in each year in Caho- 
kia and Kaskaskia, and grand juries attending them; but if I 
recollect rightly, the juries were frequently adjourned without 
finding one single indictment. 

These are the higher crimes I mention as being of rare occur- 
rence — the lower violations of the law were not so rare: as- 
saults and batteries, riots, and similar misdemeanors, arising out 
of a wild, reckless independence, sometimes occurred. These 
breaches of the law did not involve any corruption of the heart, 
but were such that at times they may occur in any community. 

It is true that the use of intoxicating liquors was indulged in 
at that day, some more then than at present. Drinking in 
primitive times was fashionable and polite, and liquor was con- 
sidered an element in the conviviality of all circles — Public 
opinion sustained the use of the bottle at that day, but now it 
severely condemns it — this is some palliation for the pioneers. 

The French were never an intemperate people in the use of 
hquor. 

Most of the drinking and intemperance indulged in by the 
Americans was in the villages of Cahokia and Kaskaskia, and 
many good citizens were injured by the excessive use of ardent 
spirits. 

I had reached my fifteenth or sixteenth year, and had seen in 
the villages and other places much intemperance and immo- 
rality arising out of drunkenness. I deliberately reflected on 
the subject, and, without consulting any one, or any one know- 
ing it, I took a solemn resolution never to drink any distilled 
spirits whatever. My father had fallen into the habits of in- 
temperance to a considerable extent, which was the main rea- 
son that induced me to make this decision. He had injured 
himself and family by his use of ardent spirits; and I was fear- 

4 



50 MY OWN TIMES. 

ful if I drank at all I might fall into the same habits. My 
humble character was developed some at the time, and I pos- 
sessed, I feared, the same traits which my father had, which, 
might lead me into the same errors. I was satisfied then, as I 
am now, that there is no certainty in any other manner than ta 
abstain entirely from intoxicating drinks, if a person wishes to 
be a eober man. I saw in what manner liquor operated on my 
father — that when he entered into gay and exciting society that 
it seemed almost impossible for him to refrain from drinking. 
This decision has been no doubt of essential service to me, and 
perhaps saved me from ruin. At that time, I had scarcely ever 
tasted spirits, and knew not at all how it would operate on me; 
but I saw that liquor had ruined many men, and I concluded it 
was the safest course to drink none at all. 

In early times, in many settlements of Illinois, Sunday was 
observed by the Americans only as a day of rest from work. 
They generally were employed in hunting, fishing, getting up 
their stock, hunting bees, breaking young horses, shooting at 
marks, horse and foot-racing, and the like. When the Ameri- 
cans were to make an important journey they generally started 
on Sunday and never on Friday — they often said "the better 
the day the better the deed." 

In many of these American settlements there were no clergy- 
men or houses of public worship, and consequently no religious 
meetings. Many, like they are at present, would go to churcli 
if they had the opportunity. Other colonies observed the Sab- 
bath in a different manner. The older the settlement was, 
generally, the more the religious worship was observed in it. 
The aged people everywhere generally remained in their houses 
on the Sabbath, and read the Bible and other books. Not 
many worked at their ordinary business on Sunday. It was a 
custom and habit to cease from labor on that day, except from 
necessity. When any farmer, in olden times, cut his harvest on 
Sunday, from necessity, public opinion condemned it more se- 
verely at that day than at the present. With the Americans 
there was no dancing and very little drinking on the Sabbath. 

The French colonies observed the day in a different manner 
than the Americans. Worship ended and church over, they 
were more relaxed in their deportment and enjoyed the rest of 
the day in amusements, merriment, and recreation. Dancing, 
training the militia, house- raising, and similar performances, 
were in pioneer times indulged in by the French on the Sab- 
bath. Public sales of land and other property in early times 
was held by the French at the church doors on Sundays, after 
the service was closed. I have seen the young folks in France 
dancing on a Sunday evening under the shade of the trees, on 
the grass, with as much gentility and decorum as if the dance 
had been on any other day of the week. The old people were 



MY OWN TIMES. $1 

frequently seated around and enjoying the amusement with 
decided approbation. These customs are congenial to French 
vivacity and cheerfulness. 

The French population frequently assemble on the Sunday 
evenings and discuss their public business. 

The French are guarded against the breaches of the higher 
penal laws. • 

There never was a Creole Frenchman hung in Illinois since 
the earliest settlement of the country. Some colored persons 
were hung in Cahokia for the pretended crime of witchcraft. 
No Creole was ever sentenced to the penitentiary of this State. 
Misdemeanors, such as keeping a drinking-house open on Sun- 
day, and similar offences, they are at times guilty of, and pun- 
ished by the laws. 

In common broils and personal combats the French rarely 
engaged. They detested a quarrelsome, fighting man; but 
they had a class of bataillcrs, as the French called them, who 
prided themselves in single combat. 

The Americans indulged in personal combats in those 
days more frequently than at present: very seldom they had 
"pitched battles," as they were called, but would fight on the 
spur of the occasion, and frequently make it up before they 
parted. They scarcely ever fought unless they had been drink- 
ing, and commenced in the heat of passion. In these American 
fights, no rules were observed, but, at times, eyes and ears were 
much injured and sometimes destroyed. There is no exhibi- 
tion of human nature in much more degraded and brutal con- 
dition than to be engaged in a "pitch-battle" or a "prize-fight" 
— any fighting is detestable and degrading, but a fight for a 
wager puts the contestants and the spectators below the level 
of the beast; and a government or public opinion that will not 
punish it with the severest penalties of the laws deserves the 
condemnation of every honest man. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Gaming and Sports of the Pioneers of Illinois. — Cards. — Loo. — Shoot- 
ing Matches. — A Keg of Whiskey. — Metheglin. — Horse and Foot 
Races. — The Author Engaged in Racing. — Working Frolics. — Fe- 
males Attend. 

All species of gaming were indulged in by the original in- 
habitants of Illinois. I do not pretend to say that every person 
was devoted to gaming; but it was considered at that day both 
fashionable and honorable to game for money; but as gentle- 
men, for amusement and high and chivalrous sports. In this 
manner a great many gambled. Card- playing was sustained 



52 MY OWN TIMES. 

by the highest classes as well as the lowest in the country. A 
person who could not, or would not, play cards was scarcely fit 
for genteel society. The French delighted much in this amuse- 
ment, which gave the card parties much standing and popular- 
ity with the Americans. The French, at that time, had the as- 
cendency in the country, and their manners and habits gave 
tone* and character to many such transactions. The French 
masses, in early times, played cards incessantly in the shade of 
the galleries of their houses, in the hot summer months. They 
frequently played without betting; but at times wagered heavi- 
ly. Card -playing was mostly the only gaming the French in- 
dulged in. The ladies of that day, amused themselves often in 
these games, and as they do at this day. At times, the Amer- 
cans as well as the French, bet heavily at cards, although they 
were not considered gamblers. The voyagers and Courier du 
Bois indulged in this sport more than any other class of citi- 
zens. 

The most common game of cards at that day was called Loo; 
and in this game, and in many others, I was frequently engaged 
like other folks of that time. I have lost or won considerable 
amounts in an evening. I never considered card-playing as the 
most innocent amusement; but I yielded to the customs and 
habits of the country. When I was appointed one of the 
Judges of the Supreme Court of the State, in 1818, I abandoned 
card-playing, and every other species of gambling for money. 

Shooting matches, with the Americans, were great sport. 
Almost ev.ery Saturday in the summer, a beef, or some other 
article, would be shot for in "the rural districts," and the beef 
killed and parcelled out the same night. A keg of whiskey was 
generally packed to the shooting-match, on horseback. Some- 
times, a violin appeared, and "stag dances," as they were termed, 
occupied the crowd for hours. 

In 1804, I witnessed a match of shooting in the orchard of 
Gen. Edgar, a short distance west of Kaskaskia. It was a 
match between John Smith and Thomas Stubblefield, and the 
bet was one hundred dollars. Smith won the wager. 

A small, tricky game for whiskey was often played in these 
keg groceries, which was called " Finger in danger." Every 
one that pleased put his finger down in a ring, and then some 
"knowing one" counted the fingers until the count reached 
some number agreed on, and the finger at that number, when it 
was touched was withdrawn, and so on until the last finger in 
the ring was left, and then it had to pay for the treat. 

Aged matrons frequently attended these shooting matches, 
with a neat clean keg of metheglin to sell. This drink is made 
of honey and water, with the proper fermentation. It is pleas- 
ant to drink, and has no power in it to intoxicate. The old lady 
often had her knitting or sewing with her, and would frequently 



MY OWN TIMES. 53 

relate horrid stories of the tories in the Revolution in North 
Carolina, as well as to sell her drink. 

In the early days of Illinois, horse - racing was a kind of 
mania with almost all people, and almost all indulged in it, 
either by being spectators, or engaged in them. The level and 
beautiful prairies seemed to persuade this class of amusement. 

The quarter races were the most common, and at which the 
most chicanery and jugglery were practiced. In quarter races, 
more depends on fast judges than fast horses. All classes of 
horse -racing requires sound practical judgment, and much 
knowledge of both horses and men, to succeed in the business. 
Much time, money, and morals were lost in these early sports 
of the turf. 

In my youth, I possessed, like many others, a species of 
mania for horse-racing, and was tolerably successful in the voca- 
tion. I delighted extremely in a fine race-horse, and have ex- 
pended much time in training them. Just preceding an im- 
portant race, I have slept on a blanket in the stable-loft to take 
care of my horse. Sharpers may poison a horse, or take him 
out in the night and try his speed with their race-horse. 

The most celebrated and famous horse-race in early times in 
Illinois, was run in the upper end of the Horse Prairie, in the 
spring of 1803, between two celebrated horses. These horses 
were of the same sire, and ran three miles and repeat, for a 
wager of five hundred dollars. The bye-bets and all must have 
amounted to one thousand dollars, or more. At that day, a 
thousand dollars were worth nearly ten thousand at this time. 
Almost every American in Illinois attended this race. 

Foot-racing, jumping, and wrestling were practised by the 
Americans in early times; and many bets were made on foot- 
races, as well as on the horse-races. As I reached man's estate 
I was delighted with these rural sports, and became a swift 
foot-racer myself. When I arrived at the years of eighteen or 
twenty, I grew large and active. My ambition, which was an 
ardent passion with me, urged me to excel in these athletic 
sports. I practised foot-racing incessantly, and discovered I 
was hard to beat. The first race I ever run for a wager, was in 
Kaskaskia, in the summer of 1808, with the Hon. John Scott, 
of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. After the above race, a bet of a 
hundred dollars was made on a foot-race of one hundred yards 
to be run by me and a person of the name of Paine. The race 
was to be run at the place of Mr. Kinney, of Illinois, Gov. 
Kinney, a few miles east of Belleville. Paine got sick and did 
not attend the race. I mention these small matters for the 
object of showing the sports and games of the pioneers of Illi- 
nois; and also, for the purpose of relating "the story of my 
life," as humble as it may be. 

Working frolics in pioneer times were also common. The 



54 MY OWN TIMES. 

whole neighborhood assembled and split rails, cleared land, 
plowed up whole fields, and the like. In the evenings of these 
meetings, the sports of throwing the mall, pitching quoits, 
jumping, and the like, generally closed the happy day. The 
females assembled also, and were engaged in quilting, carding 
wool, and talking. The female gossips were conducted at these 
gatherings in the same spirit as they are all over the world. At 
these places, their expressions were common: "Do not repeat 
this." "It may not be true on the lady." "This is a secret 
between you and me." 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Hunting and Fowling in Illinois. 

In all the frontiers of the West, hunting and fowling were an 
element by which to obtain a livelihood with the masses. In 
early times, in Illinois, almost every citizen made hunting his 
main business in the fall, by which he added considerable to the 
support of himself and family. Peltries and furs were the staple 
articles of the country, and were as current and as good as bank 
paper is at this time. 

By a kind of public opinion, dear-skins which had the hair 
shaved off, made a currency at three pounds to the dollar. 
Books kept, and notes made in this manner, were the common 
practice of the people, which answered for the standard of busi- 
ness; as the present age has made the coin of the United States 
the measure of value. 

The meat of the chase was generally preserved, and sup- 
ported the families. There is no flesh better than a fat bear, 
and almost equal is the venison in the fall. 

In 1800, and many years thereafter, game, deer, bear, and elk 
were plenty in Illinois, and particularly the deer. The northern 
Indians did not hunt much around the white settlements, and 
the Kaskaskia Indians were afraid to go far out to hunt. By 
these means, the wild animals for ages were unmolested in 
Southern Illinois, and they grew in great numbers. The rac- 
coons and musk-rats were also numerous. It is said the Indi- 
ans called Kaskaskia River, Raccoon River, for the number of 
these animals raised on it. 

In the swamps of the rivers were great numbers of musk-rats. 
Their fur, as well as the raccoons, was in great demand with the 
merchants. These animals, the raccoon and the musk-rat, are 
measurably hunted out, until there are only a few of them in 
the State at this day. Beavers and otters were also found in 
Illinois in the above period, but were not plenty in "My Times," 
and none at this day. Elks were not common in Illinois since 
my residence in the country. I was one of a hunting-party 



MY OWN TIMES. 55 

that wounded an elk, and we tracked it by the blood for miles, 
but did not get it. It was said that bufifalos ranged toward the 
head of Big Muddy River since we settled in Illinois; but I 
never saw any of them. 

Wild fowls in pioneer times were very numerous. In the fall 
and spring, great numbers flew over us north and south. The 
Mississippi, and the low lands near it, were on their route north 
and south; and at times the air was almost darkened with them. 
The swans often flew high in the air, and in large gangs. The 
notes of tJicir music, sung on their passage, were noble and 
majestic. But almost all these fowls, like the animals of the 
chase, cease to exist in Illinois, and we see very few of them at 
this day in their migrations. The fowls generally fly in order, 
and assume the form something like the letter V, point fore- 
most. One alone is generally in front, and the two lines are 
extended back from the foremost patriarch of the flock. 

The game, the fowls, Indians, and pioneers all seem to sink 
below the horizon about the same time, and leave the scenes of 
their existence, pleasures, and sports for another generation. 

Some deer-hunters make their approach to a gang of deer 
in the open prairie with such adroitness and cunning, that they 
kill one of the flock. Sometimes the hunter crawls in the open 
prairie on the ground in the grass, and when the deer look 
around, he is motionless until they put their heads down to feed 
again; then he creeps on again. At times the hunter provides 
a green bush which he holds in front of him as he advances to 
the game. 

In my early days, I possessed a fever for hunting as well as 
the other pioneers, and hunted considerable; but never was a 
■good hunter. I had two younger brothers, James and Robert, 
who were excellent hunters, but I think their exposure and 
hardships in the chase hastened them to their graves. They 
are both dead. 

On many occasions, the hunters shoot from the backs of their 
liorses, and what is strange, that the ponies will stand as 
motionless, and not breathe, as a marble statue, when the hunter 
is shooting from their backs. The sagacity of the horse is 
wonderful — and to hold his breath on these occasions shows 
much of it. 

The food for wild animals, in the early settlement of the 
country, was grown in Illinois in the greatest abundance. The 
vegetation in summer was luxuriant and exceedingly nutritious. 
In the winter, the animals were surrounded with "canebrakes" in 
all the southern section of Illinois, and the sandy margins of 
the rivers furnished rushes for food. The lowlands of the 
streams in those olden days supplied the animals, wild and 
domestic, with good pasturage all winter. 



56 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Agriculture and Commerce in the Pioneer Times of Illinois. — Not 
much Agriculture and Commerce at the commencement of the 
present Century. — Commenced to sow Fall Wheat at the New De- 
sign. — Sickles. — No Cradles, no Horse-Reapers, no charge for Reap- 
ing. — French raised Spring Wheat. — A Dollar a Bushel for Wheat. — 
Cut Prairie Grass for Hay. — French Barns. — Produce to New Or- 
leans. — Lead. — Stock. — Indian Goods. — All Commerce by Water. — 
No Land Carriage, no Roads. — Railroads add much to Commerce. 

At the commencement of the present century, agriculture 
and commerce in Illinois did not flourish to any great extent. 
The fine soil of Illinois was mostly in the possession of the 
aborigines, and the white population amounted to only a few 
thousand souls. ' About one-half of these few inhabitants made 
their living by the chase, couriers du bois, and voyaging. Under 
these circumstances, agriculture and commerce were limited at 
this period. The great elements of prosperity increased as the 
population expanded. The farmers commenced to sow fall 
wheat, and sell it to the merchants. The inhabitants of the 
New Design gave the first impulse to the growth of fall wheat, 
and considerable quantities were sold from this settlement. 

At that day, the sickles, or reap-hooks, were the only imple- 
ment used to cut the wheat. There were no cradles in the 
country to cut the small grain, and the late improvements made 
their appearance, to harvest the grain, fifty years afterward. 
Reaping with a sickle was a severe labor. Wheat at that day 
sold for a dollar per bushel. 

Mowing the prairie grass was, as well as reaping wheat, a hot, 
hard labor; but a short distance from the farms, in the prairie, 
or in the timber in places, good grass was selected and'mowed. 
In this branch of agriculture I always made a hand to mow the 
prairie grass as well as to reap wheat. 

The Americans, at that day, generally stacked their hay and 
wheat out, but the French had barns in which they housed their 
wheat and hay. The French barns were made of large cedar 
posts, put in the ground some two feet, and set apart four 
or five feet — the space between the posts was filled up with 
puncheons put in grooves in the posts, and the whole covered 
with a thatched roof. 

It was a great trouble in olden times to thresh and clean the 
wheat. The Americans used horses at times to tread it out. 
About the hardest work I ever performed was winnowing the 
wheat with a sheet. 

Considerable quantities of corn were shipped from Illinois in 



MY OWN TIMES. 57' 

flat-boats to New Orleans before the purchase of Louisiana. It 
was an uncertain market, and a more uncertain navigation of 
the river. Some considerable stock, cattle, and hogs were 
raised for the market. Some were shipped to New Orleans, 
and considerable live stock to the lead mines in Louisiana, 
The commerce on the river and the Indian trad,e consumed 
of the small surplus products of the farms. 

Irish potatoes were raised in abundance in pioneer times in 
Illinois, and the crops scarcely ever failed. Only small quanti- 
ties of cheese or butter were manufactured — scarcely enough 
for home consumption. 

The French scarcely ever troubled themselves with milking 
cows; but turned the calves out with the other cattle, and made 
little or no butter. They scarcely ever used a churn, a loom, or 
a wheel. At this early day, both the French and Americans 
possessed large apple orchards in proportion to the number of 
people in the country. The French also cultivated considerable 
orchards of pears, but the peach-tree was almost entirely 
neglected. In after days, peaches, apricots, and other fruit, 
were raised in abundance. This is an excellent climate for the 
above fruit. 

The greater portion of the merchants made the Indian trade 
their main object. The furs and peltries were articles in great 
demand, and were generally shipped to Mackinaw, Philadelphia,, 
and New Orleans. Lead, from the mines west of the Missis- 
sippi, formed an element of some value in the pioneer com- 
merce. 

The French horses, known as "French Ponies," were sold in 
great numbers to the Indians. Guns, powder, lead, and all In- 
dian goods, blankets, blue strouding, and calico-shirts, made up, 
formed large items in the commerce of the day — as the Indians- 
were much more numerous than the whites. 

The whole commercial business of the country was carried on. 
by me^s of the navigable streams intersecting the valleys of 
the West in almost every direction. 

The village of St. Louis, Missouri, at the commencement of 
the present century, had only small Indian trails leading to it. 
All the commerce and transportation business was performed 
by water. 

Of recent date, the railroad system has unfolded a new era to 
the country, and has advanced the nation at least half a century 
in its former progress. Time and distance are almost anni- 
hilated, and the extremes of the country brought almost ia 
contact. 



58 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Early Education in Illinois. — The Author's first Acquaintance with the 
Arithmetic. — At a Common School in the Winter. — Studies Astrono- 
my. — Studies Surveying and Navigation. — Traits of Character de- 
veloped. 

Before any common school vv^as established in the settle- 
ment, where my father resided, I mounted a horse nearly every 
evening during a w^inter, and rode about a mile and a- half to 
the residence of James Hughes, to study under his guidance the 
arithmetic. Mr. Hughes, although he was raised in the back- 
woods, and was filled with fun and frolic, was a man of strong 
mind and a benevolent heart. He took great pleasure in teach- 
ing me the arithmetic, and during this winter I studied the most 
important principles contained in the treatise. We had not the 
Jeast idea when a school would be established in the neighbor- 
hood ; and I was advancing in years, so that it was a matter of 
necessity to study with Mr. Hughes. This was the first step I 
took towards an education since we immigrated to Illinois. I 
attended to my ordinary business on the farm during the day, 
and in the evenings, after the stock was fed, I studied the 
arithmetic with Mr. Hughes. In a few years after, schools were 
established in most of the new colonies. 

In the New Design, Robert Lemen, an aged and respectable 
pioneer of Illinois, tauglit a school. Others were opened in 
Goshen settlement, and other colonies. 

About the year 1805, a small school was formed in the settle- 
ment where my father resided. I was a scholar at this humble 
institution during part of the winters, and the wet days we 
could not work on the farm, for one or two years, v^i\e we 
remained in the settlement. At times, the school was irot kept 
\ip for the want of teachers. The scarcity of school-books was 
also a great inconvenience to the scholar. 

As soon as I commenced the study of the arithmetic with 
Mr. Hughes, I commenced also an ambition and a small 
enthusiasm for education generally. This disposition induced 
me to study and read almost every book I could obtain. It 
must be recollected at that day in Illinois, not a man in the 
country, professional, or otherwise, had any collection of books 
that could acquire the name of library. There were some 
books scattered through the country, but they were not plenty. 
Although my father was a reading man, and possessed a strong 
mind, yet as far as I recollect, he brought to the country with 
him nc^^books, except the Bible. Many of the immigrants acted 
in the same manner as to books. 



MY OWN TIMES. 59 

One exception I recollect was: that John Fulton, who settled 
in the vicinity of my father, brought with him Rollin's Ancient 
History. My father borrowed it, and I read it day and night at 
the times I spared from labor. This was the first history I had 
ever seen, and it gave me a new field of mental existence. I 
made arrangements with my father to go all one winter to 
school. I had raised a colt he gave me, and I gave it to a man 
to work in my place on the farm while I attended school. At 
this school I studied reading, writing, and the arithmetic. I 
revised my studies of the arithmetic I had commenced with 
Mr. Hughes. It was my energy and ambition more, I presume, 
than my capacity; but I learned rapidly — so my teachers always 
reported. 

At that day, neither the grammar, geography, nor books of 
science ever appeared in the schools. And no branch of the 
mathematics was taught except the arithmetic. The custom of 
that day was also, to study the lessons aloud. Each one in the 
school read out at the top of his voice, if it suited the con- 
venience of the scholar. This unwise habit is changed at this 
day. ^ 

My father purchased a few books,* and among them was a 
treatise on geography. This was a good work in four volumes, 
and presented a tolerably good geography of the inhabited 
globe. In this work was also contained a sketch of astronomy, 
and particularly the solar system. This study astonished and 
surprised me. It was incomprehensible to me, how it was 
possible that the knowledge of the heavenly bodies could be 
obtained. I reflected on this science with all my humble abili- 
ties, and became well instructed in it; so far as that short sketch 
afforded me the means. My father understood the general 
principles of astronomy tolerably well, and instructed me con- 
siderably in addition to the treatise mentioned above. 

In the school near my father's, the teacher was unable to 
instruct any of his students in the higher branches of the mathe- 
matics, or the sciences, and I made arrangements, with the 
consent of my father, that I should attend during the winter of 
1806 and 1807, a good school, taught by a competent teacher. 
This school was situated a few miles north-east of the present 
city of Belleville, on the land of the present Mr. Schreader. I 
have often examined, with deep feeling, the tumuli of earth 
where this school-house once stood. I revere and respect the 
site with the same feeling as the Jews in ancient times did the 
city of Jerusalem. 

At this seminary I studied land-surveying and navigation. I 
attended also to reading, spelling, and writing. I became well 
conversant in the general principles of the mathematics, and 
particularly in the science of land-surveying. My father pro- 
cured me a surveyor's compass, and I learned both the theory 



60 MY OWN TIMES. 

and practice of surveying. My compass and mathematical 
books I retain to this day. I studied various branches of 
mathematics, and the sciences, until I calculated an almanac, 
but it was never printed. At that day, I never saw a printing 
office. At this school where I learned surveying, I studied also 
book-keeping, of which I thought very little. My writing in 
this study improved my penmanship, but I think not jmuch my 
knowledge. 

In my youth, when I was quite young, I surveyed a con- 
siderable amount of private lands, and gave tolerable satisfac- 
tion, so far as I understood at the time. During these years of 
my humble life, the traits of my character commenced to de- 
velop themselves. It is almost impossible for any one to 
deliberate his own character; but he may, I presume, give some 
of the general outlines, without being guilty of either egotism 
or folly. 

My first and strongest impulses and traits of character were, 
in my opinion, atnbition and energy. Since my earliest recollec- 
tion it gave me great pain, and in fact real misery, to be de- 
feated in any enterprise I undertook. This waj the case in 
my tender years, as well as in mature age. Ambition was a 
passion born with me, to the extent of ray humble abilities. 
Energy was also my company during life. I believe a 
stationary and idle life would have made me unhappy and 
would have shortened my days. Another trait was also born 
with me: that was an extra and morbid degree of diffidence. 
This defect of organization has given me great pain and trouble 
through life. I happened to possess a corresponding degree of * 
savage obstinacy, pertinacity, and self-will to persevere onward, 
or otherwise this bashfulness and diffidence would have been my 
ruin. I imply not that this bashfulness had any affinity to 
modesty, of which I pretend to possess no uncommon share. 
Thus far my readers will permit me, I hope, to speak of myself. 
I know it is dangerous, and a person, when he speaks of him- 
self, is liable to say too much on the favorable side. 

Nature and education are united in forming human character. 
Neither can accomplish much without the other. Education 
without a proper subject to act on would be futile; and strong 
natural parts without education would be almost as useless. All 
the impressions which the mind receives from the surrounding 
circumstances, I embrace in the general term of education. 
And in this view of the subject, education makes lasting im- 
pressions on the mind and forms the character, as heretofore 
stated in this work. 

My situation, being raised in the backwoods, has impressed 
me with a pioneer character that has remained with me more or 
less during life, and for which I am truly thankful. Circum- 
stances compelled me to rely on my own resources, which gave 



MY OWN TIMES. 6l 

me self-reliance, and a goodly degree of self-sufficiency, thinking 
I was compelled to succeed in almost any emergency. Energy 
and activity were also forced on me by the same circumstances 
that they seemed to be born with me; and therefore attended 
me without effort. 

With these traits of character, together with an unbounded 
ambitions— much diffidence and awkwardness — nature and my 
age raised me an obscure boy, a small distance above the 
horizon, and forced me to act in this wide world 



CHAPTER XX. 

The Increase of Population and the Extension of the Settlements in 
Illinois from 1805 to 1809, the Time of the Formation of Illinois 
Territory. — The Monks of La Trappe. — Shawneetown Increased. 

The whole country on the margin of the Mississippi, Ohio, 
and Wabash Rivers, from the site where Alton now stands to 
Vincennes, commenced to improve. Within the present limits 
of Gallatin, Johnson, and Union Counties, small colonies were 
formed. The Simpson, Stokes, and many other settlements, 
were established in this section of the country, while the coun- 
try was under the jurisdiction of Indiana Territory. Some mills 
were erected on the Little Wabash River, near its mouth; and 
about this time the town of New Haven commenced near these 
mills. A talented and energetic merchant, then of Shawnee- 
town, laid out New Haven, and erected a fine flour-mill in the 
vicinity. 

The settlements around the Ohio Saline, in Gallatin County, 
increased considerably, and the business at the salt works was 
carried on with much prosperity and success. These settle- 
ments, around the margins of these large rivers, extended only 
a few miles in the interior; and within was a wilderness. 

The families of Jourdons, and connections, made a location in 
1808, east of Big Muddy River, not far from the place where the 
old Fort Massacre trace crossed the stream. 

Colonies were formed some years before 1809, on Mary's 
River and Plumb Creek, in Randolph County, and extended up 
the east side of the Kaskaskia River, in narrow strips, to the 
upper extremity of the Horse Prairie, and east of Silver Creek, 
in St. Clair County. On Sugar and Shoal Creeks, some settle- 
ments were formed during this period. The highest locations 
on Shoal Creek were about the present Greenville; and the 
settlements on Silver Creek extended up to the vicinity of the 
present Highland Town, in Madison County. 

During this period, colonies were extended from the vicinity 
of the present towns of Troy and Edwardsville to the forks of 



62 MY OWN TIMES. 

Wood River, which was the upper settlement in the country at 
this early period. Andey Dunegan resided then, solitary and 
alone, on the site which Alton now occupies. These were the 
frontier settlements during the war of 1812, and around which 
the United States Rangers guarded the inhabitants. 

Some of the Bird family, who had previously resided in 
Missouri, west of Cape Girardeau, sold out their intemst in the 
premises and settled on the site of the present city of Cairo, in 
1805. The settlements extended up the Wabash River, with 
wide gaps between them, as high as Vincennes — but most of the 
inhabitants left these upper settlements during the war of 18 12. 

The French colonies were also extended before 1809; and the 
villages called "the French Village," situated in the American 
Bottom, on the present road from Belleville to St. Louis, and the 
Quentine Village, near the Great Mound, on Cahokia Creek, 
were formed. The French settlements at Peoria and Prairie du 
Chien were stationary. 

The colonies of the Creoles, on the Big Island, in the Missis- 
sippi, above St. Louis, increased but never prospered much. 

In the year 1809, the Monks of La Trappe made a settle- 
ment in the American Bottom, near the Great Mound, and 
remained there for several years. This colony was located near 
the county line, between St. Clair and Madison Counties, and 
they made there considerable improvements. They introduced 
into the country a good breed of stock; and were, many ot 
them, excellent mechanics. The monks introduced the first 
Jack into the country; but there was such inveterate prejudice, 
at that day, against mules, that no one bred from the Jack. 

At the place they located it was near large lakes, and they 
suffered bad health. Two priests and several lay members died 
here, and they abandoned the country in the year 18 12. 

This order of religionists. La Trappe, were very rigid and 
severe in their rules and discipline. It is an ancient order, com- 
mencing in France in the year 1140, and revived in 1664, by 
Abbey Ranee. This devotee was a crazy fanatic, and enjoined 
on the monastery perpetual silence. A stone floor was their 
beds, bread and water their food — and every day they dug part 
of their graves. I saw many of the order, at their monastery 
in the American Bottom, who refused to speak, but made signs, 
pointing to the place to obtain information. Many whom I saw 
were stout, robust men, badly clothed, but fat and hearty. 

These monks came to the United States in 1804, and first 
settled in Pennsylvania, at Conewango Creek — then in Ken- 
tucky — then in the Flourisant Village, in St. Louis County, 
Missouri ; and then came to Illinois. They always seemed to 
me to be discontented and unhappy. The leader of the frater- 
nity, the Rev. Pere Urban, was considered a man of talents and 
true piety. I have often seen him reading in a book on horse- 



MY OWN TIMES. 6$. 

back. This monastery was an order of the Cistercian Monks; 
and with all their rigor and severity, they had attached to them 
many followers. 

It is a singular trait in the human character, that the most 
strange and most superstitious institutions of religion will secure 
to them proselytes who will suffer even martyrdom for a cause 
which they cannot understand. 

In all religions, it is a principle to chasten "the carnal man," 
as it is called by some, so that the grossest passions, and the 
most degraded impulses of the animal man, will not be permit- 
ted to run riot, and ruin the higher and more intellectual senti- 
ments and impulses of cultivated humanity; but these monks 
seemed determined to destroy the animality altogether in man, 
to prevent him from committing sin. As well might a physi- 
cian kill his patient to cure him. It is extremely difficult to 
educate the human family in such manner as to pursue the 
exact line of right, in the sight of Heaven, between the two 
extremes of the low, baser passions of man, and the celestial 
and etherial elevation of the human intellect. 

During this period, Shawneetown, on the Ohio River, com- 
menced to grow, and gave evidence then of becoming a large 
commercial town. Shawneetown made its first appearance in 
the years 1805 and 1806, and increased considerably for some- 
time. Great fleets of keel boats concentrated at this point, 
engaged in the salt, and other traffic, and diffused life and 
energy to the new colonies. 

About the year 1804, La Bauissier, a Frenchman, located on 
the Ohio River; he fished, traded with the Indians, and kept a 
ferry. E. Ensminger settled there about the same time, and 
was deputy -sheriff of Randolph County in 1809. Davenport, 
Wilson, Ellis, Hubbard, and others, located here a few years 
after. 

Congress in 18 10, and also in 18 14, caused to be surveyed 
out two sections of land in lots, and sold many of them. After 
the sale a general jollification was enjoyed, and most of the old 
log-cabins in the town were burnt, so that new houses, larger, 
and built of better materials, would occupy the places of the 
squatter houses. The river, for several years, did not inundate 
t]he town, and everything seemed to prosper and advance the 
growth of the place — it soon contained a population of fifteen 
hundred inhabitants or more. The Indians were removed from 
the country near Shawneetown in 181 1, and the immigrants 
flocked to the country in great numbers. 

At the first settlement of Shawneetown, a number of extra- 
ordinary and-highly gifted immigrants settled in it, and gave it 
a high standing and character throughout the country. Many 
of these pioneers reached, in after days, a high standing and 
fame in the public mind. Among many others, Isaac White, 



64 MY OWN TIMES. 

John Marshall, Moses M. Railings, Leonard White, Willis 
Hargrove, Henry Eddy, John McLean, Thomas C. Brown, A. 
F. Hubbard, Moses M. Street, John Lane, Seth Guard, and 
many more. 

In 1805, we computed the population of Illinois to be about 
five thousand souls; and in 18 10, the census taken then returns 
12,284 inhabitants in the territory of IlUnois. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Sketches of the Author. — Camp-meeting. — The Jerks. — Discipline of 
the Militia. — The Fourth of July. 

In the spring of the year 1807, my father purchased a plan- 
tation in the Goshen settlement, situated at the foot of the 
Mississippi Bluff, three or four miles south-west of Edwards- 
ville ; and there part of the family made a crop of corn before 
the rest moved up. I had with me my books and compass, and 
studied the mathematics with care and attention at intervals, 
when I was not at work on the farm. I was called on to do 
jobs of surveying, which I performed tolerably well, as all 
parties concluded. 

When my father arrived in Goshen, it was the most beautiful 
-country that I ever saw. It had been settled only a few years, 
and the freshness and beauty of nature reigned over it to give 
•it the sweetest charms. I have spent hours on the bluff, ranging 
my view up and down the American Bottom, as far as the eye 
could extend. The ledge of rocks at the present city of Alton, 
■and the rocks near Cahokia, limited our view north and south ; 
and all the intermediate country extended before us. The 
prairie and .timber were distinctly marked, and the Mississippi 
seen in places. As I grew up, I became more and more 
energetic, and I could not remain inactive with the least satis- 
faction. I was constantly in motion, except when asleep or at 
-my studies. I attended at the house-raisings and other gather- 
ings of the people. No horse-race, or Fourth of July frolic 
escaped me. Yet, with all this glow of spirits and activity, I 
never tasted a drop of liquor. The decision not to drink ,1 
made irrevocable. 

The first camp-meeting that was ever held in Illinois was 
■commenced on the premises of Mr. Good, about three miles 
south of the present Edwardsville. This meeting convened in 
the spring of 1807, and I attended it. At the meeting, many 
persons were curiously exercised by the "jerks," as it was called. 
It seemed an involuntary exercise, and made the victims some- 
times dance and leap until they were entirely exhausted, and 
would fall down helpless on the ground. When they were in 



MY OWN TIMES. 65 

these furious motions, the parties would generally shout and cry 
aloud on the Lord. It was supposed to be contagious by 
sympathy. These jerks remained with the people for many 
years, but have long since disappeared. The clergy encouraged 
it for many years, but at last they turned a deaf ear to it, and it 
ceased among the people. It seemed to me the parties became 
much excited, and got into a frenzied state of mind, so that 
they knew not what they did. 

For the first time, I mustered in the spring of 1807, in 
Cahokia. It was a general muster for the county of St. Clair; 
and men, women, and many children, attended it. In those 
days, females appeared at these gatherings in great numbers: 
they rode on horseback, and often carried their children for 
many miles to these places of public resort. At this muster, a 
troop of cavalry was training; and they and the infantry were 
firing, for amusement, blank cartrages at each other. A com- 
pany of French, in Cahokia, by accident, or otherwise, fired 
leaden shot into the cavalry company, and wounded many of 
the men and horses. At that day, a bad state of feeling existed 
between the French and Americans, and the regiment was 
divided, so that the two races mustered apart from each other 
at the next training. 

The country, at that day, was surrounded with Indians who 
were not friendly to the approach of the Americans, and it was 
necessary that the people should keep up a strict military 
organization for defense. By this training and military disci- 
pline, the whole male population of Illinois made experienced 
soldiers, to defend themselves in the war of 18 12, without any 
difficulty whatever. 

The celebration of the Fourth of July was frequently, in 
these early times, made by horse-races and other sports, to 
demonstrate the joy of the people. I attended two celebrations 
of the Fourth at horse-races — one in 1807, at a race in the 
American Bottom, a mile east of the Sugar Loaf; and the 
other, the next year, on the prairie, in the American Bottom, 
north-west, and near the residence of the late Samuel Judy. 

At that day, and previously, I never saw in Illinois any 
regular celebration of the Fourth of July by dinners, speeches, 
and the like. I had often read the Declaration of Independence 
of 1776, and admired it as being the greatest achievement of 
human intellect, and on the greatest occasion; but I had never 
heard it read at a Fourth of July celebration until in Knoxville, 
Tennessee, on the Fourth of July, 18 12. The celebration in 
Knoxville was one of the most enthusiastic meetings I ever 
witnessed: the war against England had just been declared, and 
the patriotic citizens of Tennessee were red hot and flaming to 
fight the enemy. Judge Scott, of Knoxville, a splendid orator, 
read the declaration, and made a speech that roused to action 
5 



66 MY OWN TIMES. 

every spark of Tennessee patriotism. He painted, in glowing 
colors, the scalps of men, women, and children, for which the 
British Government paid gold, at Detroit and other places, in 
the Revolution. England, at that dinner, had no friends at alL 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Early Government of Illinois. — In 1800, down to 1809, Illinois formec 
a part of Indiana Territory. Establishment of St. Clair and Ran- 
dolph Counties. — Judges of the Court. — Jurisdiction of Courts and 
Justices of the Peace. — First Lawyers. — Election in 1802. — Assem- 
bly Convened at Vincennes to Suggest Measures. — Contrast in the 
Travel to Vincennes in 1802 on Horseback, and in 1855 by Rail- 
road. 

Illinois, from 1800 to 1809, made a part of the Indiana 
Territory, and was, during that period, under the laws and juris- 
diction of that territory. 

When we arrived in Illinois in 1800, there were only two 
counties, St. Clair and Randolph, including the Illinois section 
of Indiana. Governor St. Clair and Judges organized the 
county of St. Clair in the year 1790, when he was Governor, 
and Illinois formed a part of the great North- Western Terri- 
tory. The eastern line of the county commenced on the Illi- 
nois River, at the mouth of the Mackinaw Creek, some distance 
below Peoria, and run a direct course to the Ohio River, near 
the old Fort Massacre, and thence down the Ohio to the mouth, 
and up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to the beginning. 
This county embraced at that day all the settlements in Illinois, 
and ten times more territory than they occupied. In the year 
1795, Randolph County was formed, which was taken off the 
southern section of St. Clair, and the line dividing the counties 
ran nearly east and west through the wilaerness country^ 
between Prairie du Rocher and the New Design colony. The 
county seats of these two counties were at Kaskaskia and 
Cahokia. A court of common pleas and quarter session were 
organized and held in each county seat four times in each year. 
The Judges of these courts were sound headed and respectable 
men, who had no pretention to law- learning; but were about 
similar to the best of our Justices of the Peace at this day. 
Robert Morrison, Esq., was the Clerk of the Court in Randolph 
County and John Hay, Esq., in St. Clair. At times, Shadrach 
Bond, James Lemen, William Whiteside, James Piggot, Jean F. 
Perry, Nicholas Jarrot, George Atchison, and many other 
similar good men, composed the Judges of the court of St. 
Clair County; and John Edgar, William Morrison, N. Hull^ 
Robert Reynolds (my father), John Beaird, and others, were at 



MY OWN TIMES. 6/ 

times Judges of the courts in Randolph County, These Judges 
were appointed by the Governor of the territory, and held their 
offices during his pleasure. The courts had similar jurisdiction 
with our present Circuit Courts. They also regulated the public 
business of the county. These Judges acted, also, as Justices 
of the Peace as well as Judges of the court of common pleas. , 
Also, Justices of the Peace were appointed, whose jurisdiction 
in civil suits was limited to twenty dollars. It required three 
Judges to constitute a quorum, but more might sit on the 
bench. These two counties and the administration of the law 
remained in this condition until the year 1812, when other coun- 
ties were established. 

In 1803, I heard speeches made in court by lawyers Haggin 
and Darnielle, in Kaskaskia, which was the first "pleading," as it 
was then called, I ever heard. These two lawyers and John 
Rice Jones, were the only attorneys in Illinois when we arrived 
in the country. Soon after, when Louisiana was ceded to the 
United States, more lawyers appeared in the country. 

After we settled in the country, the first election for members 
of a convention was held in December, 1802, in Kaskaskia, and 
Robert Morrison, Pierre Menard, and my father were elected 
for Randolph County, and Jean F. Perry, Shadrach Bond, and 
John Moredock, for St. Clair County. This assembly convened 
in the winter at Vincennes, and was not for legislation entirely, 
but to advise with Governor Harrison on the government of the 
territor>% and the second grade of territorial government. 

The country between Kaskaskia and Vincennes was then a 
wilderness, and I recollect well hearing my father relate the 
difficulties the members had in swimming the streams in the 
wilderness, and their want of food for themselves and horses. 

At this day, seven hours of pleasant travel in the cars on the 
railroad, from St. Louis, will land the traveller in Vincennes. 
What a contra^, 

CHAPTER XXIIL 

My Journey to the College in Tennessee. — A Letter from Tennessee 
decides me for the College. — Preparations. — Diffidence. 

Although I had reached my twentieth year, yet I had not 
reflected or decided in what manner I would make a living. 
One thing was most certain: that I relied on myself for a sup- 
port. I knew my father had not the means to assist me to any 
great extent, but it never cost me a moment's reflection, as I 
was satisfied in my own ability to make a living. I had never 
engaged in anything great or important in my humble course 
of life, and to pursue it on in an even tenor did not require 
much talent or capacity. 



68 MY OWN TIMES. 

In the forepart of the winter of 1809, my uncle, John 
Reynolds, of Knox County, Tennessee, wrote my father a 
letter, suggesting the propriety of sending me to Tennessee to 
college. This letter found me as above stated, in an unsettled 
condition, ready for a college, a horse-race, or a tour to the 
Rocky Mountains, as the latter was sometimes spoken of 

It is strange what a small circumstance does often decide the 
destiny of a person for life. This suggestion of my uncle 
caused me to abandon my agricultural pursuits, and embrace 
another entire different profession. I had not the least inten- 
tion, and it was not hinted at the time to me, that I was to 
study law if I ever became qualified. I considered it right, at 
all events, to receive education, no matter what business I 
might afterward pursue. 

if it had not been for my uncle, I would have remained at 
home, and have pursued, I presume, agriculture for a liveli- 
hood. I would not have remained idle, but forced my way to 
the uttermost of my capacity in some enterprise. 

My mother disliked me to leave home, and for her and her 
wishes I entertained the most profound respect. But to satisfy 
me she consented, and then all was bustle at home getting me 
ready for college. 

As the occasion occurred to test my diffidence, it increased; 
so that my travel to Tennessee, and my appearance at college 
haunted me in my slumbers. But when I commenced an enter- 
prise, let it be education, the practice of law, or any pursuit oi 
any description, my disposition was and is such that I would 
suffer martyrdom before I would abandon it while there was a 
gleam of hope left. With these traits of character, I had many 
trials and conflicts of feelings to encounter in the progress ot 
my collegiate education in Tennessee, and, also, throughout my 
whole life. 

It must be recollected, that in Illinois I was raised in the 
extreme backwoods, without ever being in anj^society except 
the wildest. At that day, to my recollection, I never saw a 
carpet, a papered wall, or a Windsor chair. Where I associated, 
none of these articles existed. I think, before I was twenty 
years old, I never lived in a shingled-roof house, or one that 
had glass windows in it. My father was about the most wealthy 
farmer in the neighborhood ; but fine houses were not then in 
the country, anywhere out of the villages, and not many in 
them. 

The society, near Knoxville, then the seat of the State 
Government, was polished and fashionable. Under these cir- 
cumstances, what anguish of feelings I was bound to suffer. I 
had crossed the Rubicon, and death or success was my motto. 
It may be considered pride or vanity in me; but I had much 
self-reliance. I mostly thought I was equal to the emergency, 



MY OWN TIMES. 69 

and although this confidence did not destroy my diffidence, yet 
it was the main lever that urged me on. I was a singular 
spectacle, when I started in 1809 to college; I looked more like 
a trapper going to the Rocky Mountains, than a student to 
college. I was well educated in the arts and mysteries of horse 
and foot-racing, shooting-matches, and all other wild sports of 
the backwoods, but had not studied the polish of the ballroom, 
and was sorely beset with diffidence, awkwardness, and poverty. 

My mother and female friends commenced to fix me up for 
college. They spun and wove from the raw material of wool, 
cotton, and flax, my clothing. At that day, broadcloth was not 
much seen in the country; at least it was not with me. These 
clothes were made up without tailors, and did not fit; so that I 
was placed in fashionable and polished society in Tennessee in 
a most ludicrous position. This appearance, together with my 
inherent bashfulness, gave me much pain and mortfication. I 
wore a cream -colored hat, made out of the fur of the prairie 
wolf, which also made rather a grotesque appearance. My par- 
ents did for me the best in their power, and did it with the 
most kind and affectionate feelings, for which in all the ups and 
downs in my life, I turn back to them with the most*profound 
feelings of respect and gratitude. It seemed to me they would 
almost give up their lives at any time for my welfare. 

When I left home my feelings were aroused into great inten- 
sity; and when I turned my head back leaving home, and saw 
my mother shedding tears, I bitterly condemned the college; 
but honor and obstinacy propelled me onward, if I had died on 
my horse. John Green, an excellent young man, afterwards a 
rather conspicuous character in Greene County, 111., travelled 
with me to the lower part of Kentucky, and when we sepa- 
rated I was miserable. Together we did tolerably well; but as 
Burns the poet sings in his Highland Mary, "our parting was 
fu' tender." 

Many days t travelled the whole day without eating or feed- 
ing my horse. I was so diffident and pioneer-like to appear in 
a fashionable hotel, that I suffered for the want of food. It is 
strange in the same proportion as diffidence appeared on me, 
the opposite traits of character were propelling me onward; so 
that I would have appeared in Tennessee, as I had commenced 
the enterprise, if I had been forced to crawl there on my hands 
and feet. 

Between Kaskaskia and the Ohio River was mostly a wilder- 
ness. We crossed the Ohio at Ford's Ferry, and passed Hop- 
kinsville, Gallatin, in Tennessee, and at last I approached the 
Cumberland Mountains. It was nine years since I had crossed 
them, and I had forgotten them considerably. Being so long 
in Illinois, in which there are no mountains, the sight of them 
was magnificent and sublime. I took great pleasure in viewing 



70 MY OWN TIMES. 

these great and grand works of creation, and frequently loitered 
behind my company gazing on the scenery. 

At last I reached the residence of my uncle, in Knox County, 
Tennessee, and found him and his amiable wife enjoying rural 
life, in that happy medium between the extremes of wealth and 
poverty, that is the most conducive to happiness. They re- 
ceived me with open arms, as if I had been their only son. 
It is to this family that I have reason to look, next to my 
parents, or even more, for my advancement in life. These rela- 
tives possessed and exerted a kindness for me, that time makes 
it more indelible on my heart. They moved in a respectable 
circle of society, and knew exactly what to say and do for me. 
They placed me in that condition in which it was proper for me 
to act in my situation. » 

My wardrobe was re-organized; and my hat, which was 
made in Illinois out of the fur of a prairie-wolf, was exchanged 
for a fashionable beaver. 

It is almost impossible for one to cast off the wilderness-man- 
ners and habits of twenty years' growth, and assume in a short 
time the polish and fashion of refined society. 

Anothg^ scene now presented itself, which I disliked ex- 
tremely. But it was one like death, that could not be avoided. 
It was to introduce me to the preceptor of the college and the 
students. This scene was not at a horse-race or a shooting- 
match, and I felt rather disagreeable in the operation. Many 
young men told me afterwards, when we became familiar, that 
they had no idea at first that I ever could become a scholar. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
My First Year at College. — The Preceptor. — The Books I Read. 

The preceptor of this college was an accomplished scholar, 
the Rev. Divine, Isaac Anderson, whose learning and piety 
were known and appreciated far and near. Nature bestowed 
on him a great strength and compass of mind, and it might be 
said of him, like Cardinal Wolsey, "from his cradle, he was a 
scholar," "a ripe, and good one." He is yet alive, and is the 
patriarch of learning in East Tennessee. He is not only at the 
head of an institution of learning in East Tennessee, but he 
also stands deservedly at the head of the Christian ministry in 
his section of the country. 

This gentleman instructed a class of young men, in his col- 
lege, and preached to his congregation every Sabbath. 

He kindly received me into his seminary, and was to me a 
warm friend and benefactor. 

This institution of learning was situated in a retired valley, 
where neither temptation nor vice made their appearance. 



MY OWN TIMES. 7I 

It was six miles north-east of Knoxville, and near the par- 
son's house. A large spring flowed out from the rocks near it, 
and the whole scenery around was charming, innocent, and 
rural. The building of the institution was comfortable and 
" unpretending." Wealth in it or about it made no display to 
deaden or distract the vigor of the intellect. The Latin gram- 
mar was the first book put into my hands, and it was my de- 
cided companion for several weeks and months, so that we 
.scarcely ever were apart, only on occasions of sleep and meals. 
1 had no acquaintances at the college or country. I was diffi- 
dent — had no means to make a display, and had no inclination, 
I knew I was rising into years and I must act. I commenced 
to know and appreciate a character and standing. All these 
things conspiring, made me exert every latent and dormant 
intellect and energy that I possessed. I made hasty strides 
in the Latin language, that was noticed by the college; but 
I knew not myself my exact progress, as well as others did. 
The first small Latin book I read after the grammar was, I 
think. Corded. I soon came to Selectee Profanis. The others 
I had been studying was a kind of Englished Latin. This book 
was a trouble. My mind had not been disciplined entirely to 
study in Illinois, and I had to force it into the hariTfess of ab- 
solute application. I had commenced the enterprise, and my 
readers know my motto was success or an ignominious grave. 
It was something like taking a colt off the prairie- grass and 
entering him in a race-course without keeping or training. It 
required much exertion to succeed. Caesar's Commentaries on 
his Gallic wars was studied by me, and much admired. Ovid's 
Metamorphosis was also read attentively. I did not much like 
this author, although he has considerable genius in changing 
girls into trees, and the like. I then studied the works of Vir- 
gil, and greatly admired them. His pastorals are innocent, and 
as the ladies would say, "sweet." His Georgics are good. Many 
of the best principles of agriculture are there laid down. He is 
not so wrong in stating that bees will generate in the pounded 
carcass of a young heifer. But it was the ^nead that I so 
much admired. In this work were philosophy, religion, and 
many great principles combined. The descent of yEneas into 
the dreary abode of the spirits, called Averna, shows the notions 
of the ancients in the future state. I remarked, particularly in 
in the works of Virgil, that he was so diffident that he would 
not enter Rome in daylight, for fear of the gaze of the people. 
He came into the city in the night. I discovered that others 
had been incommoded with this disease as well as myself. 
I consider the work of Virgil shows, besides great genius in 
the author, science and philosophy in the work. The next 
author placed in my hands was Horace. I read his Satires, 
much of his poetry, and his art of poetry. This writer was to 



72 MY OWN TIMES. 

me not so interesting as Virgil. Horace had perhaps more 
strength of mind, and an intellect more pointed than Virgil, 
but there was a beauty and a flowing elegance with the author 
of the ^nead, that I did not preceive in the other. The last 
Latin author I read at school was Cicero. His orations were 
considered at the college the ne plus ultra of human excellence, 
and not so badly judged, in my opinion. I studied with care 
and attention the Orations of Cicero, and admired them with 
the warm enthusiasm of a school-boy. It requires a good Latin 
scholar to understand the speeches of this celebrated orator, 
and I neyer read them with so much pleasure as I did the 
yEnead of Virgil. When I was at the college, hearing the first 
words of any line of the first books of the ^nead, I could repeat 
the rest of the line. The above are the principal Latin authors 
I studied at the college, but I looked over Sallust and many 
other Latin writers. But in my opinion, Cicero was, taking him 
in all things, the greatest literary man Rome ever produced; 
and it is doubtful, if modern times ever could boast of a supe- 
rior man. Some writers say, Julius Caesar was the most accom- 
plished scholar and man the world ever saw; but in my opinion,, 
he fell beliind Cicero in not only eloquence but science and 
literature. The writings of Cicero will stand transcendent in 
the minds of all intelligent men, while eloquence and learning 
are respected on the globe. For native, pure, and pathetic elo- 
quence, I believe the great American orator, Henry Clay, was 
superior to Cicero; but he appeared far behind the noble Ro- 
man in science and literature. It must be recollected, that the 
cotemporaries of Henry Clay, besides the American feeling, en- 
joyed the pleasure of witnessing the grand and majestic bursts 
of eloquence from the lips of the American, while the efibrts of 
the Roman are preserved only on paper. Eloquence cannot be 
confined and transmitted in writing in those glowing, beaming, 
and overwhelming torrents that flow from the lips of the orator 
himself. 

At this college it was the custom to read compositions on 
one Saturday, and the next, to deliver orations. This rule is a 
good one, but the performance of it was to me a great trial, 
particularly the speaking on Saturdays. All the two weeks 
previous, and in fact all the weeks, this awful day was looked 
upon by me with deep and intense feeling. Writing the compo- 
sition was a closet performance, be it good or bad, that any one 
could do, according to his will and capacity; but the reading 
of it to the teacher was to me very painful. His gentle and 
kind criticism. on the pieces was more to sooth my perturbed, 
spirit than otherwise. The orations were committed to memory, 
and spoken to a full house of the students, and others, with the 
venerable and learned preceptor presiding, with that noble dig- 
nity which seems to be the birthright of the Rev. Isaac Ander- 
son. 



MY OWN TIMES. 73, 

I retain the impressions of that scene vividly on my mind to- 
this day, of my first attempts to deliver orations, which I had 
committed to memory. The teacher presided, and the house 
full of fetudents, and others, more to witness my debut than any 
other cause. I knew it, and the more I thought of the scene, 
the more I disliked it. I could not reason the diffidence oft. 
Or I could not forget it, or shift it off, but I must bear it. 
This is no caricature, or exaggerated story, of my first ap- 
pearance in this scene. When I commenced, I trembled from 
head to foot, my voice faltered and was strange to my own ears. 
I jumbled over sentences and paragraphs in the speech. In- 
voluntarily and unconsciously I leaned on a table near me, until 
my person made an angle of forty-five degrees with the floor. 
To see the crowd gazing on me, and myself making such a cari- 
cature of a speech, was extremely disagreeable. 

At this college was organized a debating society, that aided 
the students much in their elocution as well as mental re- 
searches. I was persuaded to join, and committed to. memory 
my addresses. The teacher generally presided, and took occa- 
sion often to commend my efforts, more to encourage me than 
any merit my speeches possessed. Also, at this college, at the 
close of each session of five months, an "exhibition," as it was 
called, was held. A large audience attended; and the scholars 
not only exhibited their studies before the congregation, but 
also performed plays, something similar to a theatre. The 
teachers from all the surrounding institutions were invited, and 
examined the scholars in their studies. I well remember at 
one of these exhibitions, the celebrated pulpit orator, Gideon 
Blackburn, was present. This gentleman was the most elo- 
quent divine I ever heard, and his address to the students was 
a matchless piece of eloquence. It was the first true and lofty 
eloquence I ever heard, and I never knew before the power of 
this celestial gift to man. A native and accomplished orator 
exhibits human nature in its highest eminence. 

I finished my Latin studies with great celerity, but I often 
revised them afterwards at the college, and taught classes in 
that language; so that, when I left the college, I was a good 
Latin scholar. 

The circumstances under which I labored forced me to study, 
as I have already stated. I was diffident, particularly in the 
society of ladies, and was also destitute of all the fashionable 
and polished graces of a ballroom. I never knew a tune, or at- 
tempted to dance in my life. I possessed in an eminent degree 
the awkward appearance of a wild youth caught up from the 
prairies of Illinois. I knew well my situation, and would not if 
I had the means, and I had not, force myself into fashionable 
and accomplished dissipation, under any circumstances, al- 
though urged to it by all my youthful comrades. 



74 MY OWN TIMES, 

In my situation, intense application to my books was my sole 
employment and pleasure, and my success naturally arose out 
•of my exertions. 

# 

CHAPTER XXV. 

The Second Year at College. — The Scenes at College. — General Hous- 
ton, of Texas, at the Same Institution. — Commenced Reading Law. 
— Studied Intensely. — Became Sick. — Quit Study. — Returned to 
Illinois. 

In the vacation of this college I studied as attentively as I 
did at other times. In one vacation, I studied the English 
grammar and Euclid's Elements of Geometry, I found the 
English grammar to present no great trouble to understand it; 
but to be particular in the observance of the rules was more 
■difficult, and often the rules were disregarded. The study of 
Euclid's Elements of Geometry was to me a great treat, and 
unfolded to me a science of absolute certainty that none other 
attains. It astonished me how the principles of geometry could 
first be demonstrated, when it was with considerable difficulty 
that a person can follow the landmarks laid down by the 
ancient sages and philosophers. The fifth problem in Euclid, 
known as the pons assinoriini, "bridge of asses," was somewhat 
■difficult to understand. When I demonstrated the problem, 
the teacher said that was the "bridge of asses," and as I crossed 
it, I could go on. I got over it before I knew it. The problem 
r/ is grand and sublime where the square of the hypothenuse is 
? / proven to be equal torJDoth the squares of the legs of a right- 

D angled triangle. My former studies, the mathematics, made 
the elements of geometry more easily comprehended. 

When the session of the college opened in the spring of i8iO, 
I commenced the study of the sciences and literature, I studied 
geography and history carefully. I also read with care, rhetoric 
and logic. Blair's Lectures gave me such information on the 
various branches of that subject. This author showed himself 
in these lectures to be a great and learned man, whose science 
and work on rhetoric entitle him to much fame. 

I studied the treatise of logic written by Dr. Watts, which 
was mathematical and demonstrative, after the manner of Eu- 
clid's Elements of Geometry. The moral philosophy, by Dr. 
Paley, was also studied by me, and recited to the teacher. The 
next study I commenced was astronomy, which unfolded the 
great and grand works of creation, which I only glimpsed at in 
Illinois. Dr. Young says the truth, that "an undevout astrono- 
mer must be mad." Although the study of astronomy was 
pleasing and fascinating, yet much of the science was abstruse 



MY OWN TIMES. 75 

and difficult to comprehend. It required the undivided atten- 
tion of the mind to understand it. I studied also at this col- 
lege, the science of chemistry, in connection with natural phi- 
losophy. Chemistry is a very interesting study, which gave me 
much entertainment. 

During the closing sessions at the college I enjoyed much 
social happiness. I becarq^ attached to the preceptor and stu- 
dents, and we mingled together like a band of brothers. My 
studies were not only easy and light, but pleasant and agreea- 
ble. I wore off some of the diffidence and rusticity of my youth, 
and was easy and happy in a society that was so kind to me. I 
had gained a little reputation at the college and a short dis- 
tance around it. 

I enjoyed in Illinois the character of a wild, sportive youth, 
but this was the first speck of literary reputation ever reached 
me, although small, yet my vanity and foibles of human nature 
were pleased at it. It is happiness to any one to know his 
actions are approved by his conscience and an intelligent public. 
After the exhibition and the examination of the students on 
the sciences we studied, I left the institution with a heart brim- 
ful of intense feelings. It pained me to leave my fellow-stu- 
dents, perhaps forever, and the venerable preceptor; but duty 
demanded it, and the effort was accomplished. At this last ses- 
sion, a youth, afterwards Governor Sam Houston, of Texas, was 
a student, and was an agreeable young man, whom all respected. 

My excellent and learned preceptor is yet alive in Maryville, 
Tennessee, and is, as he always has been, for almost half a cen- 
tury, not only a standard of the clerical profession, but the 
great patriarch of literature in East Tennessee. 

In October, 1810, I commenced the study of the law, in 
Knoxville, with a most excellent and agreeable man and lawyer 
John McCampbell, Esq. In his office I commenced Black- 
stone's Commentaries. I was highly pleased with the style of 
the author, and the system on which Judge Blackstone pre- 
sented the common-law of England to his students. There is 
no law-book extant that can boast of a better style, or a more 
compendious system of the laws of England, than is found in 
the Commentaries of Blackstone. 

I had few acquaintances in Knoxville, and was retired and 
private — had no recreation, amusement, or social society. I was 
forced to study night and day in self-defence, and before spring 
I injured my health so much that I was forced to abandon my 
studies. I read six or eight months incessantly, and in the time 
had passed a successful examination on Blackstone and other 
law-books. I studied history also in the time. My preceptor, 
Mr. McCampbell, urged on me the neccessity of understanding 
the history of England, so as to comprehend the common-law, 
and the various statutes passed in aid of it. I also read many 



^6 MY OWN TIMES. 

miscellaneous works. Mr. McCampbell possessed a large library 
of literary and miscellaneous books as well as law. 

I studied in this intense and unwise manner until spring, and 
I contracted a cough, and my lungs were affected. I had pain 
in my breast, and often spit blood. I became pale, emaciated, 
and lost my appetite. I had cold, unnatural sweats at night, 
and slept but little. I was weak and inactive. I had at college 
and at musters through the country frequently tried my speed 
with foot-racers, but now I was scarcely able to mount a horse, 
let alone to run a foot-race. How I grieved at the loss of my 
backwoods' activity! My situation alarmed my uncle and 
friends more than it did me. I had such implicit confidence in 
my native vigor and strength of constitution, that I thought 
nothing could injure me. But by the advice of friends I con- 
sulted a learned and talented physician. Dr. Strong, and he was 
some surprised at my situation. He at once pronounced me 
incurable, if I continued to pursue the same course of conduct 
that reduced me to that situation. He topk much interest in 
my case, as I persume he discovered I was worse than I sup- 
posed I was. He said I must reverse the order of things that 
produced this result. I must study none — take all the exercise 
that I could bear — eat light food, and pass my time in jovial 
and pleasant society. This was the ground work of the cure, 
and his advice, I presume, saved my life. Under these circum- 
stances, I shut up my books, and bid a farewell to the law and 
my studies for almost a year. 

My fine race-horse became sick from inaction, and unlike me, 
he died. I possessed then nothing on earth save some few 
clothes, and the commencement of the consumption. I had no 
horse, no money, or wealth of any description. But the hearts 
of my uncle and aunt overflowed with kindness to me. I was 
furnished with a fine horse and money, and started home to 
Illinois, by Lexington, Kentucky, and Vincennes, Indiana, in 
the spring of the year i8i i. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

The Summer of 1811. — Miscellaneous. — My Return to Illinois. — My 
' Health.- — Indian Disturbance. — Indications of War. — Forts Built. — 

Captain Levering at Peoria to Sound the Indians. — The Comet. — 

The Earthquake. — Sports and Horse- Racing. 

I wended my way over the Cumberland Mountains, at the 
famous gap known as the "Cumberland Gap," and although I 
was sick, lonesome, and feeble, yet I enjoyed the mountain 
scenery with great pleasure. Some of the elevations of per- 
pendicular rocks, on the sources of the Cumberland River, near 



MY OWN TIMES. "jy 

the road must be over a thousand feet high. I often gazed 
with wonder and dehght at these subHme and majestic works of 
nature in these mountains. This is the same road on \yhich 
General George Rogers Clark and Gabriel Jones blistered their 
feet, travelling in the year 1776, from Kentucky to the capital of 
Virginia. This is also the road on which Boone first travelled to 
Kentucky. I was surprised to see the Kentucky River where it 
seemed to have chiseled itself a channel a hundred feet deep in 
places in the limestone rocks, to run in. .^.^ 

Lexington was a handsome town at that day; and near it 
was the first attempt to erect a steam- mill I ever saw. The 
mill was not finished, but much work was done on it. One 
night, in Lexington, for the first time, I heard the watchman 
cry out in a shrill, unearthly tone, the time of night, and the 
weather. I got up and went to the window to know what was 
the matter! The next day, I was told all about it — Louisville \ 
was then, in the spring of 181 1, a small place. 

I crossed the Ohio River alone, and started through the wil- 
derness to Vincennes. At that period, the Indians had alarmed 
the people on the road so much that scarcely any settlers 
remained on the way. I found at White River a flat-boat, but 
no one to cross me over. I had been accustomed some to a 
boatman's life. I put my horse in the flat-boat and rowed my- 
self over, although the stream run with an exceedingly strong 
current. No one resided between Vincennes and the Kaskaskia 
River. McCauley had improved at the Little Wabash, but had 
left it for fear of the Indians. I got in company with two other 
travellers at Vincennes, and we made the journey together to 
Shoal Creek, in the present Clinton County. At this point, 
they went on to St. Louis, and I made my way to Goshen 
settlement, where my father resided. 

On the route from Vincennes to Illinois I could not keep 
with my companion^, but they would wait for me. I was on a 
fine horse, but I became so weak that I could scarcely sit on 
him. We travelled exceedingly fast. The first day after leav- 
ing Vincennes we camped at the Little Wabash, and the next 
night at the Kaskaskia River. I got home to my father's in 
the American Bottom, in a little more than two and a-half days' 
travel from Vincennes. My mother was mucli distressed at my 
appearance, and shed tears profusely. She mourned my un- 
timely death, as if I were dead. This was the most trying 
scene of this character I ever experienced. I was distressed 
with the grief of my mother. I consoled her, cheered her up, 
and made a bad case as good as possible, with my sickly ap- 
pearance. I took no medicine, except, perhaps, I drank some 
water mixed with ley. I regulated my diet to suit me, and 
exercised much on horseback. 

A person in the backwoods without a horse, is almost like a 



78 MY OWN TIMES. 

soldier in battle without a gun, or a German on a farm without 
a wagon. I traded and managed until I got a horse. 

During this summer, much excitement prevailed among the 
people on account of the approaching war with Great Britain 
and with the Indians. Although the country had its improve- 
ments, yet it was weak and defenceless. Numerous hordes of 
warlike and hostile savages surrounded the settlements, and 
indications were certain that they breathed a spirit of vengeance 
against the whites. 

It is strange that the pioneers on the frontiers could discover 
sooner the movements of the British Government, through the 
Indians, than our government could by their Minister in 
Europe. 

My father resided not far from the frontiers, and his house 
was often filled at night with the citizens for fear of the Indians. 
Two murders were committed this year, which added much to 
the fears and alarms of the people. A young man, Mr. Cox, 
was killed on the 2d of June, near the forks of Shoal Creek, in 
the present county of Bond, and his sister, a young woman, 
taken prisoner. The young lady was rescued, but the horses 
the Indians stole from the house were not recovered. On the 
20th June, of the same year, 1811, Mr. Price was kihed near the 
spring in the lower part of the present city of Alton. And to 
close the year with Indian troubles, the celebrated battle of 
Tippecanoe was fought on the 7th of November of that year. 

Under these circumstances, the country was agitated through- 
out the whole year, and with good cause, as the next year the 
war was declared, and the whole Indian world turned loose on 
the weak and defenceless settlements on the western frontiers. 

Ninian Edwards had been appointed, in the year 1809, Gov- 
ernor of the territory of Illinois, and he was active and efficient 
in preparing the country for defence. Wijjh his advice, family 
forts were erected all feround the frontiers. In this year. Gov- 
ernor Edwards ordered Captain Levering, from Kaskaskia, to 
organize a small military company at Cahokia, and to proceed 
with it in a boat to Peoria. At that day, Peoria was considered 
almost as inaccessible as California is at this time. The whole 
country north of a sparse settlement on Wood River and Shoal 
Creek, in the present counties of Madison and Bond, was a 
wilderness filled with hostile Indians, and Peoria was at that 
day only visited by Indian traders. The object of the expedi- 
tion was to sound the Indians around Peoria, as that village was 
the capital of all the Indian country in Illinois at that day. 

Joseph Trotier, a French Creole of Cahokia, a person ot 
sagacity, was sent out from Peoria some forty miles to the 
Kickapoo Indians, that resided on Sugar Creek, north-east of 
Elkhart Grove, in the present county of Sangamon. Trotier 
had a "talk" prepared, and took down by his interpreter the 



MY OWN TIMES. 79 

speeches of the Indians in answer to it. I disremember what 
information they sent back to Governor Edwards; but I have 
no doubt it was evasive and untrue. 

There are no people who have more low, cunning diplomacy 
than the Indians, and this nation, the Kickapoos, had the most 
intelligence of any of the surrounding tribes. Captain Levering 
returned in peace, but by the exposure on the river he died soon 
after he reached Kaskaskia. 

To add to the terrors of one class of people, a comet, large 
and brilliant, appeared in the fall of this year, in the south-west 
section of the heavens. This comet was believed by many to 
be a true harbinger of war, and stories were afloat among the 
people, that the roar of a battle, the reports of the cannon and 
small arms were heard in the skies. The reality of war the 
next year was bad enough without these silly stories. 

On the night of the i6th of November, 181 1, an earthquake 
occurred that produced great consternation among the people. 
The centre of the violence was near New Madrid, Missouri, but 
the whole valley of the Mississippi was violently agitated. Our 
family all were sleeping in a log- cabin, and my father leaped 
out of bed crying aloud "the Indians are on the house." The 
battle of Tippecanoe had been recently fought, and it was sup- 
posed the Indians would attack the settlements. We laughed 
at the mistake of my father, but soon found out it was worse 
than Indians. Not one in the family knew at that time it was 
an earthquake. The next morning, another shock made us 
acquainted with it, so we decided it was an earthquake. The 
cattle came running home bellowing with fear, and all animals 
were terribly alarmed on the occasion. Our house cracked and 
quivered so, we were fearful it would fall to the ground. In the 
American Bottom, many chimneys were thrown down, and the 
church bell in Cahokia sounded by the agitation of the build- 
ing. It is said a shSck of an earthquake was felt in Kaskaskia 
in 1804, but I did not perceive it. The shocks continued for 
vears in Illinois, and some have been experienced this year, 

"1855. 

In August of this year, I attended a camp-meeting at Shiloh, 
St. Clair County, and by sitting up all night, I brought on the 
fever and ague. I thought this disease gave me relief from the 
attack on my lungs. 

In November of this year, I made a vvager to run a-quarter 
race in Cahokia for five hundred dollars, and the amount was to 
be staked in horses valued at cash prices. At that day, this 
amount was equal to several thousand at the present time, as 
the country is now so much wealthier. The race-horses were 
kept for weeks, and the whole country attended to see the sport, 
I had but one horse to stake, but Thomas Carlin, the late Gov- 
ernor of Illinois, and his relative, William Savage, owned the 



So MY OWN TIMES. 

horse I made the race on, and staked the balance of the horses. 
The property was valued low; as each party supposed they 
would win the race. We fairly won the bet. I sold the horse 
I won to a hotel-keeper in Knoxville, and boarded it out with 
him while I studied law. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

My Return to College and to the Law -School in Knoxville, Tenn. — 
Hugh L. White and Jenkin Whiteside. — General Gaines and Recruits 
in Knoxville. — Last Foot-Race of the Author. 

I Travelled into Tennessee in January, 1812, and entered 
again the college to revise my former studies. I remained here 
some time, and examined and rehearsed to my preceptor the 
general course of my previous studies. I discovered that my 
memory was good, and that all came up almost as fresh as ever 
to view. 

After this revision of my previous studies at the college, I 
became again a law-student in the office of Mr. McCampbell, at 
Knoxville, in the year 18 12. 

It was considered by all that I had escaped from sickness, and 
perhaps death, fortunately, and that I must not study in that 
unwise manner again. I saw, myself, the necessity of more 
exercise and relaxation of my labors, and acted accordingly. 

Nevertheless, I read considerably, and attended the courts to 
witness the practice of the law in them. The seat of the State 
Government was then in Knoxville, and the Superior Gourt sat 
there. I often witnessed the efforts of Hugh L. White, and 
other profound lawyers of the State. Jenkin Whiteside was at 
that day considered at the head of the bar of the State, and his 
oddities and peculiarities caused much gossip. He had an old 
white horse, it was said, he rode; and without riding this horse 
to court his mind was not at ease, and he could not gain a suit. 
Much such nonsense was told of him. 

It was on the 18th of June, in this year, that war was de- 
clared against Great Britain; and all Tennessee was excited to 
the utmost. This State is justly entitled to the honor it has 
uniformly maintained of patriotism and the volunteering spirit 
to defend the rights of the nation "in the deadly breach." 

Colonel Gaines recruited a regiment this year in Tennessee, 
and the martial music, and the training of the new soldiers, 
occupied the streets, and attracted the attention of the citizens 
of Knoxville all this summer. The ensuing winter, this regi- 
ment remained at old Fort Massacre, on the Ohio, and in the 
spring made its appearance on the Canada frontier, where it. 
General Gaines, and other officers, gained immortal honor in 
the many battles which they fought with the enemy. 



MY OWN TIMES. 8l 

I had pretty well recovered my health and vigor, and my 
ardent predilection for the sport and amusement of racing 
seized me again. I attended some races in Tennessee, and ran 
one myself. Mr. Miller and friends boasted that he could beat 
any one for a hundred dollars running a foot-race for a hundred 
yards. I told a gentleman, Colonel Howell, that I thought I 
could beat Miller running, and that if he would bet eighty 
dollars I would go in twenty. 

The race was made, and I won the bet. I paid off with my 
twenty dollars some debts I owed in town, and that was, I be- 
lieve, the last foot-race I ran for a wager. My preceptor and 
my staid friends did not approve of it, but they excused it in 
me, as it was, they presumed, about the last of my wild back- 
woods education oozing out. 



CHAPTER XXVni. 

The War of 1812 with Great Britain and her Indian Allies in Illinois. 
» — Hostile Spirit of the Indians. — Rangers around the Frontiers. — 
Forts. — Troops Organized. — Camp Russell. — Extended Frontier. — 
Dixon, his Warriors. — Gomo, a Chief, met Gov. Edwards in Council. 
— Tecumseh at Vincennes. — Murders Committed. — Hill's Fort At- 
tacked. — Belleview Defended. — Fort La Motte Erected above Vin- 
cennes. — Rangers Established. — Col. Russell. — Massacre at Chicago. 
— Taylor's Battle at Fort Harrison. — A Pottawatomie Warrior Killed 
a White Man on a Boat. 

For many years before the declaration of war against Eng- 
land, the Indians all around the Western frontiers showed a 
hostile spirit, and each year, for several years, that hostile feel- 
ing increased. In 181 1 — as it was stated in a previous chapter 
— the Indian tribes surrounding the territory of Illinois became 
quite hostile and murdered some few citizens. 

Under these circumstances, the citizens organized companies 
themselves, without the order of government, for their own 
defence. In 181 1, the frontiers were guarded by mounted men 
from the Mississippi, at the point where the city of Alton now 
stands, to Shoal Creek, and the Kaskaskia River. Forts were 
erected in this year as far out as the present site of Carlyle, and 
continued south on the frontiers down the Kaskaskia and the 
Mississippi. Some garrisons for defence were established on the 
frontiers of the settlements on the Wabash River up as high as 
Vincennes, and for some miles above. One of the interior and 
most exposed forts was erected by the Jordan family, on Muddy 
River, near the place where the old Fort Massacre trace crossed 
the stream. All the interior of the territory and all north was 
a wilderness, crowded with the Indian enemy. The settlements 
6 



82 MY OWN TIMES. 

were weak and sparse towards the mouth of the Ohio, so that 
the intercourse between the northern and southern Indians was 
not disturbed. The spirit of war and defiance was breathed 
from one end of the territory to the other, and a settled 
determination was made to remain in the country, or die. 
Some few may have abandoned the country for fear of the war, 
but ten immigrated to it for one that left it. Good rifles rose to 
the price of fifty and seventy-five dollars. 

In the forepart of the year 1812, several mounted companies 
were organized, and ranged over the country as far as Vincen- 
nes, and in the commencement of the year, Gov. Edwards 
established Fort Russell, a few miles north-west of the present 
town of Edwardsville. He made this frontier post his head- 
quarters, and fortified it in such manner as to secure the mili- 
tary stores and munitions of war. This fort was not only the 
appiii of military operations, but was also the resort of the talent 
and fashion of the country. The Governor opened his court 
here, and presided with the character that genius and talent 
always bestow on the person possessing them. The cannon of 
Louis XIV, of France, were taken from old Fort Chartres, and 
with them and other military decorations. Fort Russell blazed 
out with considerable pioneer splendor. 

But a peep behind the curtain showed a weak and extended 
frontier from the site on the Mississippi where Alton now stands, 
down the river to the mouth of the Ohio, and up that stream 
and the Wabash to a point many miles above Vincennes, with a 
breadth of only a few miles at places. This exposed outside 
was three or four hundred miles long, and the interior and north 
inhabited by ten times as many hostile and enraged savages as 
there were whites in the country. The British garrisons on the 
north furnishing them with powder and lead and malicious 
counsels, and the United States leaving the country to its own 
defences, presented a scene of distress that was oppressing. 

In the spring of 18 12, Captain Ramsey had a small company 
of regular troops stationed at Camp Russell, and they remained 
there only for a few months. These were the only regulars that 
saw Camp Russell during the war. 

In the commencement of the war, the Indian traders reported 
the fact that Colonel Dixon, at Prairie du Chien, had engaged 
all the warriors of the north, and around the prairie, to descend 
the Mississippi and exterminate the settlements on both sides 
of the river. This was the plan of the campaign, but the 
English needed the Indians more in Canada, and they were 
brought to that section, and thereby our country was saved 
from a great effusion of blood. Many citizens who knew of the 
design of Dixon's warriors actually fortified their houses in the 
interior of the country, not far from Kaskaskia, and some 
removed their families to Kentucky. Dixon was a man of 



MY OWN TIMES. 83 

talents, and had, as an Indian trader, great influence with the 
Indians. He had the power to march the Indians to any point 
he pleased. 

In Ai^il, 18 1 2, Gomo, the Pottawatomie chief, with many ot 
his band, and some Chippewas, met "Governor Edwards in 
council at Cahokia. The wild men exercised the most di- 
plomacy, and made the Governor believe the Indians were for 
peace, and that the whites need dread nothing from them. 
They promised enough to obtain presents, and went off laugh- 
ing at the credulity of the whites. 

In August, the previous year, the celebrated Tecumseh at- 
tempted to practise a worse game on Governor Harrison, at 
Vincennes, but the Governor had been for a series of years 
their agent, and knew well the Indian character. It is probable 
Tecumseh intended to murder Harrison in council, but the quick 
discernment of the Governor prevented it. This great Indian 
judged the whites by himself. He supposed if Governor Harri- 
son was removed, none other was capable to take his place. 
When Tecumseh fell in battle, no other warrior was equal to 
the task to supply the place of this great man. Tecumseh was 
not blood-thirsty or brutal in his passions. His hatred to the 
whites governed all his actions, and this hostilty arose entirely 
from his patriotism to preserve his nation and country from 
destruction. I have been always sorry that the war in which 
the Indians engaged against us made it necessary to destroy 
Tecumseh, as he was the greatest man in either of the armies 
in which he was slain. 

Many murders were committed by the Indians on the whites 
during the first year of the war.. In the summer of 18 12, 
Andrew Moore and son were killed by the Indians on Big 
Muddy, some distance above the crossing of the stream by the 
old Fort Massacre Road. The same year, Mr. Barbara was shot 
dead and James Jordon wounded, by the Indians, at Jordon's 
Fort. This year, in the fall, Hill's Fort, on Shoal Creek, in the 
present county of Bond, was attacked by a numerous band of 
warriors, and one man wounded. The Indians punched a hole 
through the back wall of a chimney in one of the block-houses 
of the fort — shot through the hole, and wounded a man at the 
fire. Lindley, a soldier, had been out feeding his horses, and 
when he went out he left the gate of the fort open. The Indi- 
ans rushed to it, but it was shut on them, leaving Lindley also 
out with the Indians. It is said, Lindley remained on and under 
an ox in the drove while the gang of cattle ran away, and saved 
his life. This escape of Lindley reminds us of the story in 
Homer's Odyssey, of the large ram carrying the hero in his 
wool out of the cave of the giant Polyphemus. The Indians 
were repulsed, and some of them killed from the top of the 



84 MY OWN TIMES. 

pickets of Hill's Fort, as the blood indicated; but the dead 
bodies were carried off, as is the custom with Indians. 

This year, about two hundred Winnebago Indians attacked a 
factory-store of the United States, situated on the Mississippi, 
and on the west side of the river, at the site where Bellevue now 
stands. It was defended by Lieutenants Thomas Hamilton 
and B. Vasques, with a small regular force, who beat off the 
enemy and kept the fort. This was considered a gallant de- 
fence, that gave the officers and troops much standing. 

During this year, the military were organized all around the 
frontiers, from the uppermost settlements on the Mississippi 
down to the mouth of the Ohio, and up to the frontiers above 
Vincennes, on the Wabash River. Fort La Motte was estab- 
lished on the creek of the same name, above Vincennes, which 
was maintained during the whole war. Forts were also erected 
near the mouth of the Little Wabash, and on the frontiers in 
almost all prominent exposed settlements, to give protection to 
the inhabitants. Hill's and Jones' Forts were built on Shoal 
Creek, and so on throughout the country on the exposed 
frontiers. At the present town of Carlyle, a fort was erected in 
i8ii. Captains Willis Hargrave and William McHenry com- 
manded cavalry companies, ready at a moment's warning to 
pursue the enemy when any depredations were committed. 
Captain Craig, of Shawneetown, also was the commander 
of a company, 'who performed much service in the war. He 
commanded an expedition from Shawneetown to Peoria, by 
water, in the fall of 1812. Captain William Boon likewise 
organized a mounted company on Big Muddy River, in the 
present county of Jackson, prepared also for the defence of the 
frontier. An act of Congress, passed this year, organized ten 
companies of mounted rangers to defend the territories of the 
West. These companies were parcelled out through the fron- 
tier, and were commanded by Col. Wm. Russell, an excellent 
officer and an Indian fighter, of Kentucky. This regiment was 
the 17th, and was generally composed of active frontier-citizens, 
whose duty it was to defend their homes and firesides. Each 
member received a dollar per day, and he furnished his horse, 
provisions, equipments, and everything for the service. The 
company-officers were generally appointed also from the fron- 
tier-inhabitants, and were for the most part very efficient and 
energetic men. This regiment was enlisted for a year at a time, 
and remained in service during the war. 

Four companies of United States rangers were allotted to 
the defence of Illinois, and were commanded by Captains 
William B. Whiteside, James B. Moore, Jacob Short, and 
Samuel Whiteside. These companies, with their able and 
energetic officers, performed valuable and important service in 



MY OWN TIMES. 85 

keeping safe the frontier from maurauding parties of the enemy. 

One of the most shocking and revolting massacres of men, 
women, and children, that occurred during the war, in the West, 
was perpetrated by the Indians at Chicago. On the 15th 
August, 18 12, Captain Heald marched out of the fort at Chi- 
cago with fifty-four regulars, twelve militia, and about eighteen 
friendly Indians, commanded by Col. Wells, of Fort Wayne; 
also, there were many women and children in the retreat. 
About one and a-half miles from the fort, on the beach of the 
lake, the hostile Indians, to the number of four or five hundred, 
mostly Pottawatomies, commenced a destructive fire on the 
whites, and killed twenty-six regulars, all the militia, two 
women, and twelve children. Ensign Ronan and a Doctor 
Voorhees were among the slain; the rest of the whites, in- 
cluding the family of Mr. Kinzie, were made prisoners. The 
fort was destroyed by the Indians, and the property parcelled 
out among the warriors. This was a most horrid scene of 
butchery, and was perpetrated at such a remote section of the 
country that relief could not be extended to the sufferers, 
except by the slow operation of the Indians bartering the 
prisoners off at their pleasure, like they did their furs and 
peltries. 

The Indians made a desperate attempt to destroy Fort Har- 
rison, near Terre Haute, on the Wabash River, on the 4th ol 
September, 18 12, but were repulsed by Lieut. Taylor, afterward 
President of the United States, and a few sick soldiers under 
his command. The garrison was afflicted with much sickness; 
Taylor not having more than six or eight healthy men to 
mount guard — with numbers of women and children in the fort, 
whose cries were not so pleasant in the protracted conflict. At 
several times the fort was on fire, and one of the block-houses 
was entirely burnt to the ground; but the garrison made breast- 
works in its place, and by fighting seven or eight hours inces- 
santly, repelled the attack. This defence was considered, at 
that day, one of the most courageous and best fought battfes 01 
that class that occurred in the West during the whole war. It 
was of the same class of battles as that of Buena Vista, only one 
was like an earthquake and the other only a severe thunder- 
storm, but both were conducted by that military genius and 
talent that nature, at long intervals, bestows on her favorites. 
Taylor, although heaped with honor and praise, bore his fame 
with the becoming modesty of a great man. 

In the forepart of the war, a Pottawatomie brave, a large 
man, Wabansia, afterward conspicuous as a chief, in the war 
against Black Hawk, was alone on the Wabash River, when a 
detachment of regulars were cordclling a boat up that river, 
ladened with provisions; one man only was on the boat, and the 
other hands ahead with the cordell, Wabansia jumped on the 



86 MY OWN TIMES. 

boat from the shore, killed the man on the boat, and made his 
escape without being injured. This Indian marched ^yith us in 
the Black Hawk war, and appeared to be a fierce, savage warrior. 
In the fall of this year, the expedition known as Edward's cam- 
paign was organized, which is the subject of the next chapter. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Edward's Campaign. — March to Lake Peoria. — Captain Craig Destroys 
Peoria. — Hopkins Fails to Join Edwards on the Illinois River. — 
Speedy Return of Edwards. 

In September of this year, all the disposable forces that 
could be raised in Illinois, amounting to about three hundred 
and fifty strong, mustered at Camp Russell, and were organized 
into a small army to destroy the strongholds of the Indians on 
Peoria Lake. Colonel Russell marched in the campaign, and 
seemed to take considerably the immediate command under 
Governor Edwards. The army was organized into two small 
regiments, commanded by Colonels Benjamin Stephenson and 
Elias Rector. John Moredock ranked as Major; and Colonel 
Desha, of the United States Army, acted as a field-officer — but 
of what grade I do not know. The officers commanding com- 
panies were the four Captains of the United States rangers, 
mentioned in the previous chapter, and I think Captain Janney, 
with Lieutenant Roukson, commanded a small company. Cap- 
tain Hargrave, from the Ohio Saline, included at present in the 
county of Gallatin, commanded a large company. Captain 
McHenry was the commander of some soldiers from the county 
of White, at this time, but if he marched in this expedition I 
do not recollect. 

Captain Samuel Judy organized a company of twenty-one 
men, who acted as spies, or front guard, to the army in its 
marA. Just before this expedition left Camp Russell, I 
reached home from Knoxville, and took the horse of my 
youngest brother, Thomas, who was then a mere lad, and I was 
made a private in Judy's company. My brother remained on 
the frontier to guard it, and I and two other brothers served in 
the campaign. 

Judge Pope, Nelson Rector, and a Lieutenant McLaughlin, 
of the army, acted as the aids to Governor Edwards. Colonel 
Russell was a plain old man, dressed in Kentucky jeans, or 
linsey, seemed to need no aids, and had none, but was a good 
and efficient officer himself 

The army was ordered to pack on their horses provisions for 
twenty or twenty-five days for themselves, and the horses were 
to sustain themselves on the grass. Captain Craig had in his 



MY OWN TIMES. 8/ 

boat, mentioned heretofore, provisions for the army if they 
needed them. No baggage-wagons or anything of that charac- 
ter existe*^ in this campaign. A very few may have had pack- 
horses, but the rank and file had none. I know I had none. 

This campaign was intended to march into the most dense 
and warlike Indian population in the West. But it was contem- 
plated to meet the expedition of General Hopkins, of Ken- 
tucky, and both together could make a stand against the enemy 
in their strongholds. The privates (and myself one,) did not 
know or care much where we were marched, whether into 
danger or a frolic. 

We left Camp Russell, marched up the north-west side of 
Cahokia Creek, nearly to its source, thence across the prairie 
to Macoupin Creek, not far above the present Carlinville, and at 
the Lake Fork we stopped to noon. At this point, some wild 
boys dug open an Indian grave, and found in it, with the In- 
dian, a gun, broaches, and other articles buried with him. It is 
the Indian belief that the departed soul needs a gun, while in 
the other world, with which to hunt for a living. We crossed 
the Sangamon River east of the present Springfield, and passed 
not far on the east of the Elkhart Grove. At that day, this 
grove presented a beautiful and charming prospect. It was 
elevated, and commanded a view over the natural prairies for 
many miles around. We next reached an old Indian village on 
Sugar Creek, where we saw on the bark of the wigwams much 
painting, generally the Indians scalping the whites. We set it 
in flames, and travelled in the night toward Peoria. We were 
afraid that the Indians would know of our approach and 
leave the villages. We travelled on toward midnight and 
camped. We had guides along who conducted the army to the 
village of Potawatomie Indians, known as the Black Partridge 
village, situated at the Illinois River bluff, nearly opposite the 
upper end of Peoria Lake. We camped within four or five 
miles of the village, and all was silent as a grave-yard — as we 
expected a night attack, as was the case with Harrison at 
Tippecanoe. When troops are silent, sulky, and savage, they 
will fight. Our horses were tied near the camp, saddled, and 
prepared for action if needed. We lay with our clothes on, and 
guns in our arms. 

A soldier by the name of Bradshaw, fixing his gun, it fired. 
Every man in the army was sure of a battle, but in a few 
minutes, Gov. Edwards cried out, "it was an accident." One 
thing I recollect, I had a white blanket-coat on me, and I con- 
sidered it too white at night. I hulled this coat off in double- 
quick time. It was said, every one with a white coat on in the 
battle of Tippecanoe was killed. 

Four men, Carlin, Roberts, Davis, and Stephen Whiteside, 
volunteered to reconnoitre the Indian town, and did so. but 



88 MY OWN TIMES. 

were in great danger doing it. They reported to Governor 
Edwards the position of the enemy. ^ 

The next morning, in a fog, our company, the spies, met two 
Indians, as we supposed, and our captain fired on them. Many 
of us before he shot begged for mercy for the Indians, as they 
wanted to surrender. But Judy said, anybody will surrender 
when they cannot help it, and that he did not leave home to 
take prisoners. I saw the dust rise off the Indian's leather shirt 
when Judy's bullet entered his body. Both Indians were 
mounted on good horses. The wounded Indian commenced 
singing his death song, and the blood streaming out of his 
mouth and nose. He was reeling, and a man from the main 
army, Mr. Wright, came up within a few yards of the wounded 
Indian, but the Indian just previously had presented his gun at 
somiC of us near him, but we darted off our horses as quick as 
thought and presented the horses between him and us, so he 
could not shoot us ; but Wright was either surprised or something- 
else, and remained on his horse. The Indian, as quick as a 
steel -trap, shot Wright, and in a few minutes after the Indian 
expired. As soon as we heard the report of the Indian's gun, 
Wright cried out with the pain of his wound, which was in his 
groin. The other Indian, supposed to be a warrior, was a 
squaw, but before the fact was known, many guns were fired at 
her. It is singular, that so many guns fired at the squaw 
missed her, but when the whites surrounded her, and knew her 
sex, all was over. She cried terribly, and was taken prisoner,, 
and at last delivered over to her nation. Many of the French 
in the army understood her language, and made her as happy 
as possible. In this small matter I never fired my gun, as I saw 
no occasion for it. 

The army moved to the bluff near the village of the Black: 
Partridge, and near it was a muddy creek, beyond which we 
saw some Indians jumping from tree to tree, which rendered it 
almost certain that we would be attacked crossing this creek. 
Our Captain looked back, and I saw he had bullets in his mouth 
ready to put in his gun to load it. We sat light on our horses 
when we expected to receive the Indian fire every minute, but 
it all passed off, much to our satisfaction, without being fired on. 

When the troops came near the village, no order or restraint 
could be observed. All pounced on the town pell mell, with 
shouts "loud and long," but just when we came in sight, the 
Indians — men, women, and children — retreated from the village 
in the greatest hurry and speed. Near the town were swamps, 
almost impassable, and a great portion of the horsemen were 
mired before they knew it. My horse fell down in the mud, and 
I went rolling over his head into the swamp. Near me I saw 
Governor Edwards and horse flounder in a deep mud-hole, both 
down and covered with black mud. The village was built here- 



MY OWN TIMES. 8g 

on account of the mud and impassable morasses for defence. 
The Indians saved themselves by the swamps. Horsemen 
could not act, and the cat-tail and brush were so thick in these 
morasses that the Indians hid in them, and it was dangerous tc 
approach them. Several parties on foot trailed after the body 
of the Indians two or three miles across this swampy bottom to 
the river, and killed some of the enemy on the route and at 
the river. A few of the army were wounded, but none killed. 
Three men, Howard, St. Jean, and Kitchen, in the fury of the 
chase, crossed the Illinois River in the Indian canoes, in face ol 
many Indians, but were not killed. The Indians had left their 
horses, camp-kettles, corn, and everything on which to support 
themselves, in the village, which were all taken away or 
destroyed. The horses were all captured; and among which 
some American horses the Indians had stolen. What corn and 
other articles that could not be removed were burnt. A com- 
plete destruction of the village was effected. Some Indian 
children were found in the ruins and saved. A large Indian 
was wounded, and thereby was unable to run off with the rest: 
he was starving, and ate bread voraciously when it was given 
*him. He was protected while the army remained in the village, 
but it was said that some straggler behind killed him after the 
army left. 

During our stay at the village, an Indian warrior deliberately 
walked down the bluff, some couple of hundred yards from our 
troops, and fired his gun at us. He laughed loud, and slowly 
walked off. Some men were sent in pursuit, but could not find 
him. This was an Indian bravado. 

When we reached this village, we heard nothing of Hopkins' 
army, and I presume it was not prudent to remain there any 
time. In this vicinity, in a day or two, one thousand Indians 
could be assembled. Under these considerations, the army 
started back the same day they destroyed the village. I 
recollect all the booty I took was a deer-skin, sewed fast all 
around, and it full of corn. It rained in the evening, and my 
corn-sack got wet, which caused it to become as slippery as a 
fish; but I hung to it and got it to camp that night. Every one 
dreaded an attack from the Indians, as they all knew that they 
were numerous in that vicinity. We travelled on till dark in 
torrents of rain, and camped on the high bluff of the river^ 
where we could obtain neither water to drink nor wood to burn. 
We were all exhausted, and many lay down in the rain and mud 
without food, fire, or water to drink. I never experienced such 
a bad night. I saw, in the morning, men sleeping half covered 
with mud where the horses and men had tramped the earth. 
No Indians appeared, and we were glad of it. The next 
morning we started by time; got out into the open woods; 
made fires; dried ourselves; fired off our guns; loaded again; 



90 MY OWN TIMES. 

ate our breakfast, and commenced in earnest our march for 
home. 

While the army was in the neighborhood of the old village of 
Peoria, Captain Craig had his boat lying in the lake adjacent to 
Peoria. The boat was fortified so that the fire of the enemy 
could not penetrate it. Craig was attacked on several occasions 
by the Indians, but received no damage. He anchored his boat 
out in the lake, and was secure from danger. The Captain, 
supposing the few inhabitants of Peoria favored the Indians, 
burnt the village. This was considered by every one a useless 
act. Thomas Forsyth, Esq., was in the village at the time, 
acting as Indian - agent, appointed by the Government, but 
Craig, and none others, knew it, except at Washington City. 
It was supposed by the President that Mr. Forsyth would be 
more serviceable to both sides, if his old friends, the Indians, 
did not know his situation. He acted the honorable part to 
ameliorate the horrors of war on both sides, and risked his lile 
often among the Indians to obtain from the enemy some of the 
prisoners who had been captured at the massacre of Chicago. 
In the rage of Captain Craig, he placed the inhabitants of 
Peoria, all he could capture, on board of his boat, and landed 
them on the bank of the river, below Alton. These poor 
French were in a starving condition, as they were turned away 
from their homes, and left their stock and provisions. They 
were landed in the woods — men, women, and children — without 
shelter or food. 

Our army reached Camp Russell in safety, after some weeks* 
march, where we were received with the honors of a salutation, 
booming from the Fort Chartres cannon, and the roar of small 
arms. The troops for the most part were permitted to return 
to their homes, and Judy's company, wherein I was a private, 
was discharged entirely. 

Thus closed this short, energetic campaign, which no doubt 
did much service in preventing the Indians from maurauding 
around the frontiers. Not a man was killed, and all were 
pleased with the services he performed for the country, but not 
so with the expedition under General Hopkins. 

Gen. Hopkins marched at the head of four thousand Ken- 
tucky volunteers, and passed into the limits of Illinois, through 
the present county of Edgar. They pursued their way through 
the almost unbounded prairies toward the timber on the Illi- 
nois River, but the General became sick, the prairies were on 
fire, and the volunteers were unruly and disorderly. Under 
these circumstances, the fine army under General Hopkins 
reached no farther north-west than, perhaps, the head timber of 
the Vermillion, on the Illinois River, and returned home in dis- 
order, without effecting the object of the campaign. 

Military operations closed on the frontiers until spring, and 



MY OWN TIMES. 9I 

the troops all laid quiet at their homes, except a few on the 
outposts to guard the military stores. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

The War in Illinois in 1813. — Ranging Companies Organized. — The 
Author Became a Ranger. — Soldier Amusements. — Murders by the 
Indians. — Gen. Howard's Campaign. — Army Organized. — Marched 
Up the Mississippi River. — A Soldier Killed at Peoria. — Built Fort 
Clark. — Skirmishes on Lake Peoria. — Tricks of Murdick. 

The war drove in many of the French inhabitants in the fall 
of 18 1 2, from the outposts, and they assembled in Cahokia in 
great numbers. Although they were engaged in a war, yet 
these merry people passed a pleasant winter in this old village, 
dancing and enjoying all sorts of merriment. 

In the fall of 18 12, I was examined at Kaskaskia before 
Judges Thomas and Sprigg, two of the United States judges 
for the territory, and admitted to practise law. I attended a 
county court this fall which was held in an old house of Thomas 
Kirkpatrick, near the high bank of Cahokia Creek, embraced in 
the present Edwardsville, but I had no business in court, and 
being so diffident, and so much out of gear for the practice of 
law, that I was truly glad I had nothing to do. 

On the 3d March, 18 13, Captain William B. Whiteside 
organized his United States Ranging Company, and in it I, 
with my three brothers, enlisted as privates. It was my ser- 
vices in this company, during the war, that has given to me the 
sobriquet of "the Old Ranger," by which I am almost as well 
known in the State as by my proper name. It was my friends, 
in electioneering campaigns, who commenced the cognomen to 
advance our party, by presenting to the people the fact of my 
ranging services on the frontiers in the late war with Britain. 

In the early part of the spring of this year, preparations for 
defence were made as efficient and extensive as the means 
of the country would permit. Block-houses and forts were 
strengthened all around the frontiers, from the Mississippi east 
and south, and the small garrisons and settlements known as 
Hill's and Jones' Forts, on Shoal Creek, removed into the more 
dense settlements near the Mississippi. The ranging, and other 
military companies, were placed at the various points on the 
frontiers, and ranged around the settlements. The company I 
was in, I recollect, was stationed on the Mississippi, directly 
opposite the mouth of the Missouri River, which we guarded as 
well as ranged on the frontier. At these encampments, the 
rangers enjoyed much backwoods' amusement. The' soldiers 
were permitted to return home at certain periods to procure 



92 MY OWN TIMES. 

provisions, change clothes, and the Hke. Frequently they 
would have in their saddle-bags, on their return to camp, a 
bottle of whiskey. On one occasion, one of the rangers re- 
turned to the fort on the river with his saddle-bags, when one of 
his comrades slyly went out to where his horse was hitched and 
thrust his hand in his private saddle-bags, thinking there was 
a bottle of whiskey in them. But the ranger had caught a 
ground-hog and put it alive in his sack. This was done to trap 
someone for a joke. The man, William Green, who felt for the 
bottle, got bit. Although the bite was severe, yet he said 
nothing about it, but told one of his comrades that he got a 
good dram from the bottle in the saddle-bags. His friend 
rushed his hand into the saddle-bags for the bottle, and the 
ground-hog also bit him. The pain was so severe that he 
screamed out, and gave the alarm of the ground-hog in the 
saddle-bags. This, and similar tricks, afforded the soldiers 
much amusement. 

We had boats provided on the river, and were prepared to 
give the enemy a naval battle if they descended. 

During this year, a considerable number of murders were 
committed by the Indians. The frontiers were so extended 
that although the troops were diligent and efficient, still much 
blood was shed by the maurauding parties of the enemy. On 
the 4th of February in this year, two families residing on the 
Ohio River, near Cash River, in the present county of Alex- 
ander, were mostly destroyed, and many of the remainder were 
wounded. I saw a man, long after the war, whose wounds on 
his face must have been severe, judging from the scars. The 
Indians committing the murders crossed the Ohio, and their 
trail could not be followed as the snow had covered it. 

After Whiteside's company of rangers was organized, Indian 
depredations were committed at Hill's Ferry, on the Kaskaskia 
River, where Carlyle now stands, and Whiteside's company 
was ordered out to bury the dead and scour the country. I 
marched with the company, which was the first ranging service 
I performed. 

Mr. Hill crossed two men over the Kaskaskia River, and the 
Indians killed one Mr. Young, and the other, Mr. McLain, a 
preacher, had a severe struggle for his life, and escaped. He 
threw a small bag of dollars at a large Indian who approached 
him with a tomahawk, which checked the warrior, and he 
swam the river. It was only less than a miracle that he 
escaped. 

Captain Samuel Whiteside reached the scene of murder be- 
fore we did, and our company made a tour up the east side of 
Shoal Creek from Hill's Fort by the site of the present Green- 
ville, Bond County, and camped one night at Jones' cabins, 
north of Greenville. This was the first night I stood guard, and 



MY OWN TIMES. 93 

I considered it a lonesome, tedious afifair. We marched high up 
Shoal and Silver Creeks, and crossed Cahokia Creek, near the 
town of Edvvardsville. This was ranging, and it was severe 
labor. But after a person is at home a few days he is anxious 
for another tour. 

Boltenhouse, a pioneer, was killed this year a few miles from 
the site where Albion is now built, in Edwards County. The 
murder has given his name to the prairie where he was killed. 

It was stated in the Missouri Gazette that sixteen men, 
women, and children were killed in Missouri and Illinois by the 
Indians this year, between the 8th of February and the 20th of 
March. 

This year, Hutson, his wife, and four children, were killed by 
the Indians on the Wabash River, thirty miles above Vincennes. 
Afterwards, Fort La Motte was built in the vicinity, which 
shielded twenty families or more from Indian depredations 
during the war. This was the outside post on the eastern 
section of the territory in the war. 

In March, of this year, a horrid murder was committed by 
the Indians in the present limits ot Washington County. About 
four miles south-east of Covington, on Crooked Creek, the 
Lively family, to the number of seven, were killed by the 
enemy. A young man ot the family and a stranger were out 
hunting their horses and saw the house attacked. Lively him- 
self, the head of the family, was shot dead — but he was neither 
scalped or his body mangled. Two grown women were killed, 
and their persons shockingly mutilated and cut to pieces. A 
boy, seven years old, was taken out from the house and mur- 
dered. His entrails were taken out, his head cut off, and could 
not be found. This was a shocking case of savage Indian de- 
predation. The two who were hunting the horses escaped, and 
on their retreat to the settlements they slept the first night at 
the grove of timber, six or eight miles south-east of Fayette- 
ville, on the Kaskaskia River, which gave it the name of the 
"Lively Grove." 

Captain Boon and company pursued the Indians, but the 
enemy had four days the start, and they were not overtaken. 
This murder was supposed to have been committed by the 
Kickapoo Indians. The next year, a party of Indians suffered 
severely at the hands of the whites, which was a kind of set-off 
to the Lively murder. 

Gov. Howard resigned his office of Governor, and was ap- 
pointed to the command of the military district in which were 
embraced Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and some other of the 
adjacent States. It was decided to march a campaign oi 
mounted men into the Indian country. The troops that could 
be spared were concentrated from Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, 
and perhaps some from Kentucky and Ohio. 



94 MY OWN TIMES. 

The ranging companies of Illinois were ordered to meet at 
Camp Russell about the first of August, and were inspected by- 
Major Clempson into actual service. The company of Captain 
William B. Whiteside, of which I was a private, and had been 
appointed orderly sergeant, was ordered to the Grand Piasa, 
nearly opposite Portage des Sioux, in Missouri. There we 
remained for several weeks as a nnclcus for the other companies 
east ot the Mississippi to assemble. The head-quarters oi 
General Howard was at Portage des Sioux. 

This fall was sickly, and many of the troops not only were 
sick at home but became diseased in camp. This was one 
reason that the expedition was so tardy in its movements. The 
troops trom Missouri were to meet us at some point toward the 
present Quincy. At last the whole force were ordered to march 
by companies up the Mississippi, and we all crossed the Illinois 
River a few miles above its mouth. We had a large pirogue, 
and in it we crossed our baggage and ourselves, without loss of 
time or lives. 

We marched up the margin of the Illinois River and crossed 
over the bluff to the Salt Prairie, in the Mississippi Bottom. 

The troops marched slow, as we were waiting for those be- 
hind. We halted at the Salt Prairie, when some two or three 
rangers followed back their horses on the high lands. They had 
a skirmish with a few Indians, but not much was done, except 
the waste of some powder and lead. I saw one of the gun- 
stocks shivered a little from an Indian bullet. 

In this section of the country the bee trees were numerous. I 
never saw any part of the earth so much blessed with honey. 
Boat-loads might have been procured in this part of Illinois. 

The Missouri regiment of mounted men to the number of 
nearly five hundred, met in St. Louis and crossed the Missouri 
River not far from Belle Fontaine. They were commanded by 
Colonel McNair, afterward governor of the State of Missouri, 
and marched about one hundred miles up the Mississippi. 
There they made a platform on two canoes, and on it they 
crossed their baggage, provisions, and a part of themselves. 
The horses were swam over the river, carrying a man on the 
back of each one. Only one horse was lost. 

The men swimming the horses took their clothes off and 
made a naked and restless appearance in the nettles and mos- 
quitoes before their garments reached them. 

It was on a Sunday, in the fall, that the two regiments met, 
and were organized into a brigade. Colonels Stephenson and 
McNair commanded the two regiments, and many officers under 
them were commanding in their various spheres. 

My captain, William B. Whiteside, was appointed major, and 
so was Nathan Boon, and their two companies united under the 
command of Lemma. I still held my office of sergeant, as no 



MY OWN TIMES. 95 

other person desired to perform the difficult duties of it — nor 
did I. 

Many of my comrades, at the organization of the army, were 
appointed to small offices, but diffidence and a savage indepen- 
dence never permitted me to approach an officer's tent, or 
solicit anyone for an office. I declined becoming acquainted 
with any of the higher officers. 

Gen. Howard was in command, and the army marched up the 
Mississippi to a point called "The Two Rivers." On the march 
we passed a camp of the Sac Indians, who must have been seven 
or eight hundred strong. They had not left it more than a day 
or two. If they had given us battle it would have required the 
superior energy and vigor of the whites to have subdued them, 
as their numbers were equal to ours. The night after we passed 
this large Indian camp, I was ordered to detail two rangers to 
act as a picket-guard, and I selected Thomas Carhn, afterward 
governor of Illinois, and another ranger whose name I have 
forgotten. This service was considered nearly certain death, 
but the men named entered upon this perilous undertaking 
cheerfully. The Indians did not attack us in the night, and 
guard and all were saved. The army marched on the high land 
out in the bounty- land tract, north of the Illinois River, and 
struck it not far from the mouth of Spoon River. 

The night we reached the river, boats from Peoria came to us 
with provisions, and took the sick on board. We marched 
leisurely up the river to Peoria, and reached it from the north- 
west in the evening. The lake and the country rising gradually 
from the water for a considerable distance, presented a most 
charming and beautiful landscape. Here we camped for the 
night. 

This nip-ht at Peoria was one of alarms and excitement most 
of the time. The troops were paraded often during the excite- 
ment, and many guns were fired at phantoms. A fine young 
man from Kentucky was shot dead by the sentinel. I saw him 
next morning, and his youthful and manly appearance excited 
much sympathy for his untimely end. 

In the bustle, I attempted to load my gun, and got it choked 
with the bullet. Every moment we were ordered to arms, and 
I was compelled to unbreach my gun in the excitement, and 
knock the bullet out. I skinned my hand in the speedy oper- 
ation, as I expected the Indians on us every minute. I felt bad 
with a choked gun. All the alarms were false, and in the 
morning we marched up the lake to Gomo's town. This village 
occupied the site where Chillicothe is now erected. We saw no 
Indians, but we were troubled with more alarms. During this 
night, we experienced the worst uproars and excitements of any 
other, and no Indians near. Next day, we marched back to 
Peoria, and crossed the river at the outlet of Peoria Lake. The 



96 MY OWN TIMES. 

horses swam over, and boats ferried the baggage and men. A 
camp was formed on the south-east side of the lake, where the 
army remained three or four weeks. Boats were dispatched up 
the lake and river as far as the Starved Rock, as I understood; 
also, scouts were send out toward Rock River, and no Indians 
in any direction could be discovered. It is said the army was 
nine hundred strong — five hundred from Missouri and four hun- 
dred from Illinois, but I do not believe it amounted to that 
number. Nevertheless, its imposing appearance to the Indians 
made them fly from it and the country wherever it marched. I 
never believed, on reflection, that we would see one of the 
enemy during the campaign. An Indian will not attack a 
white man on fair and equal grounds, and I knew the Indians 
•could not assemble and maintain, for any time, such numbers 
as we had. 

At Peoria, I was sent over with another ranger to the regular 
■officer to obtain truck-wagons, on which to haul logs to build a 
fort in Peoria. We cut logs and hauled them to the lake; the 
regular soldiers crossed them over the lake, and built the fort 
with them. It was called Fort Clark, in honor of Gen. George 
Rogers Clark, the great conqueror of the West. 

The Indians and the regulars had some skirmishes at Peoria 
and on the lake before we arrived, but after that, no enemy 
appeared. 

In November, the army marched home to the settlements 
near Camp Russell. The Indiana and Kentucky rangers took 
across the prairies toward Vincennes, and those from Missouri 
crossed the Mississippi near the mouth of the Missouri, or at 
St. Louis. Thus terminated this campaign, and although no 
great battles were fought, yet the enemy were driven back and 
terrified so much that the frontiers were greatly benefited by it. 

While the troops were camped at Peoria, many of the rangers 
exercised their talents to procure liquor to drink. 

John Murdick, a ranger of singular sagacity, and one who was 
also intemperate in the use of liquor, conceived a plan to pro- 
cure a bottle of whiskey from the sutler without money. Mur- 
dick obtained two black bottles, and filled one with water. He 
put them both under his hunting-shirt, which was belted around 
him, and gave the empty bottle to the sutler and wanted it 
filled with whiskey. When it was filled, he had no money to 
pay for it. The only thing that could be done, after much 
parleying, was to pour back the whiskey into the bung-hole of 
the barrel — but Murdick poured the water out of his extra 
bottle into the barrel, and walked off with the whiskey, mutter- 
ing aloud that "it was hard to be poor." He was celebrated 
for these tricks. At another time, in a drinking carousal, he 
deceived the landlord, and obtained whiskey all day for the 
whole assembly. He started this joke with twelve and a-half 



MY OWN Ti:,IES. 97 

cents, and with it paid for the first half- pint of whiskey. The 
custom, at that day, was to obtain the Hquor to drink by 
measure, and not by drams, as is the practice at present. Mur- 
dick observed the landlord put the twelve and a-half cents in a 
teacup, which stood on a high shelf in a cupboard; when the 
grocery-keepeer turned his back, Murdick would take the same 
piece of money, and with it he would buy another half- pint. 
He continued this scene until the company were all boozy, 
and the landlord had only the first piece of coin Murdick com- 
menced with. Similar tricks of this man would fill a volume. 
At last, excessive drink and a vicious life brought him to a 
bad end. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

The War with Great Britain Continued, and Concluded in 1814. — The 
Author Appointed Judge Advocate. — The Mihtia Organized for 
Service. — Many Murders Committed by the Indians. — Capt. Short's 
Battle with the Indians. — Gov. Clarke's Expedition to Prairie du 
Chien. — The Garrison Captured there. — Campbell's Expedition to 
Rock Island. — The Battle at Rock Island. — Another Expedition 
under Major Taylor to Rock Island. — A Battle, and the Troops 
Forced Back Down the River. — Builds Fort Edwards. 

Captain Whiteside being appointed a major in the army, 
he did not continue his company, and I did not enter myself in 
any other company. I was appointed without solicitation, by 
Gov. Edwards, judge advocate, and in that office I attended 
the recruiting and volunteering service. Although there were 
many ranging companions in service, nevertheless, the militia 
made a considerable force in the defence' of the frontiers. This 
was the first commission I received, and the duties were trouble- 
some and important to the defence of the frontiers, at this crisis 
in Illinois. I attended all the musters, and organized court- 
martials to try delinquents, and to keep the militia in proper 
organization. If her militia-officers were not rigid and vigilant 
many men would dodge the service, and perform no military 
duty in defending the frontiers. I discovered that drafting, or 
conscription, is the most equitable system on which to fill an 
army. Then all perform equal service. Under this system, in 
Illinois, we had what was known as "a forced volunteer," which 
was a militia-man drafted, and then, when he could not avoid the 
service, he volunteered. This was called "a forced volunteer." 

Durmg the summer of 1814, many murders were committed 

by the Indians. Mrs. Reagan and six children were killed in 

the forks of Wood River, Madison County. The husband was 

the first one to discover the murder, by stepping into the blood 

7 



98 MY OWN TIMES, 

of his slaughtered wife and children at night. The Indians were 
pursued by Samuel Whiteside and company, and one Indian 
killed in a tree-top, on the ground, by Pruitt, near Sangamon 
River, and the rest of the Indians escaped. 

Henry Cox and son were killed in August, of that year, on 
Shoal Creek. The murder of Cox was much regretted, as he 
was a good soldier and a noble pioneer. 

The wife of Jesse Bailes, and daughter of Mr. Bradsby, of 
Silver Creek, were killed by the Indians, on Sugar Crock, a few 
miles above the crossing of that creek by the railroad. Bailes 
and his wife were both out Sunday evening, hunting their hogs 
in the creek bottom, and the dogs barked at, and bayed the 
Indians in a thicket, but the whites supposed the dogs had 
found the hogs and were barking at them. Bailes and wife 
approached the thicket, and both were fired at; the lady, only, 
received the Indian bullet. She returned across the prairie to 
Silver Creek, to her father's, and died. 

In August, 1 8 14, Captain Short's company of United States 
rangers were camped at the Lively cabins, on Crooked Creek, a 
few miles east of old Covington, in the present county of Wash- 
ington. Six men of the company discovered an Indian trail 
and pursued it. The Indians, seven in number, had stolen four- 
teen horses from the frontiers of Randolph County, and with 
the horses had made a large trail. The rangers pursued the 
Indians with much speed, and just toward sunset came up with 
the enemy. In the prairie the parties had a skirmish and some 
rencontres rather dangerous, and showed bravery on both sides. 
The Indians acted like warriors. The sergeant in command 
was wounded, and Moses Short, a brother of the Captain, re- 
ceived a ball, which lodged in a twist of tobacco, which he had 
in his pocket — the horse of Mr. Short was wounded. The In- 
dians maintained their ground, but it was supposed that two of 
their number were killed. An express, William Stout, was dis- 
patched with all possible speed to the camp for a recruit of 
men. When Captain Short received the report, he, and all the 
forces he could muster, about thirty, were in their saddles, the 
same evening, in pursuit of the Indians. The rangers forced on 
and pursued the trail all that evening and night, until seven or 
eight o'clock next morning, before they reached the enemy. It 
was on a fork of the little Wabash, seventy or eighty miles 
from Lively's cabins, where Short reached the Indians. An In- 
dian behind, as a guard, saw a turkey, and as they were starving 
shot it, which gave the alarm to the whites. It is supposed that 
the Indians might have escaped, but they presumed thgt they 
could whip off the rangers again, as they had before. The In- 
dian that shot the turkey ran up to the others, and all prepared 
for battle, but the whites surrounded and killed every one of 
them. It is said that when they saw they were to be all killed 



MY OWN TIMES. 99 

they sung the death song and disregarded the issue. They all 
died nobly, shouting defiance at the whites. William O'Neal 
was killed when he was taking aim at an Indian. Some of the 
whites were slightly wounded. This was among the last tragic 
scenes of the war, and closed it in this section of the State. 
Many of the horses of the rangers died from extreme swift pur- 
suit of the Indians. The stolen horses were recaptured. 

About the first of May, 1813, Governor Clark, of St. Louis, 
organized a flotilla of large barges, manned by fifty regular sol- 
diers, under command of Captain Perkins, and one hundred 
and forty volunteers, under command of Captains Kennerly, 
Sullivan, and other ofhcers. Governor Clark commanded the 
expedition which left St. Louis and reached Prairie du Chien in 
safety. The Governor, on the 13th of June, returned to St. 
Louis, leaving the troops to erect forts and maintain their posi- 
tion. About twenty days before the arrival of the troops at 
the Prairie, the famous Dixon had left that point for Canada 
with a great number of Indian warriors, and the Americans were 
permitted in peace to commence building the forts. The fort 
at Prairie du Chien was called Fort Shelby, in honor of the 
Governor of Kentucky. In a short time, a large force of Indians 
and British appeared and captured the fort and a part of the 
American troops. 

After the return of the troops under Captain Sullivan and 
others, General Howard ordered another expedition by water 
to Prairie du Chien. The expedition was commanded by Lieu- 
tenant Campbell of the regular army. About the | first of July, 
three barges, well fortified, with forty-two regulars and sixty- 
six rangers, set sail from St. Louis for Prairie du Chien. Lieut. 
Campbell commanded the boat with the regulars, and Captain 
Stephen Rector and Lieutenant Riggs the other two barges 
manned by the rangers. 

The expedition reached Rock Island in peace; but the Sac 
and Fox Indians, in great numbers, swarmed around the boats, 
but still professed peace. The barge commanded by Rector, 
was navigated mostly by the French of Cahokia, and were both 
good sailors and soldiers; and the same may be said of the 
company under Lieut. Riggs, except as to the knowledge of 
navigation. 

The boats lay still all night, at or near the Sac and Fox 
villages at Rock Island, and the Indians were all night making 
hollow professions of friendship. Many of the French, after the 
battle, informed me that they knew the Indians would attack 
the boats, and accordingly they informed Lieutenant Campbell, 
but he disbelieved them. The French said that the Indians 
wanted them to leave the Americans and go home. They 
would squeeze the hands of the French, and pull their hands 
down the river, indicating to leave. The Indians disliked to 
fight their old friends, the French. 



100 MY OWN TIMES, 

The fleet all set sail in the morning, and above Rock Island 
the wind blew so hard that Campbell's boat was forced on a lee 
shore, and lodged on a small island near the main-land, known 
from this circumstance as "Campbell's Island." The Indians, 
commanded by Black Hawk, when the wind drifted the boat on 
shore, commenced an attack on it. The boats of Rector* and 
Riggs were ahead, and could see the smoke of the firearms, but 
could not hear the report of the guns. They returned to assist 
Campbell, but the wind was so high that their barges were 
almost unmanageable. They anchored near Campbell, but 
could not reach him, the storm raged so severely. 

When Campbell's boat was driven ashore by the wind, he 
placed out sentinels, and the men commenced cooking their 
breakfast, but the enemy, in hundreds, rushed on them, killing 
many on the spot, and the rest took refuge in the boat. Hun- 
dreds and hundreds of the warriors were in and around the 
boat, and at last set it on fire. Campbell's boat was burning, 
and the bottom covered with the dead, the wounded, and blood. 
They had almost ceased firing, when Rector and his brave men 
most nobly came to the rescue. Campbell himself lay wounded 
on his back in the bottom of his boat, and many of his men 
dead and dying around him. Riggs' boat was well fortified, but 
his men were inexperienced sailors. Rector and company could 
not remain inactive spectators of the destruction of Campbell 
and men, but in a tempest of wind raised their anchor in the 
face of almost a thousand Indians, and periled their lives in the 
rescue of Campbell. No act of noble daring and bravery 
surpassed the rescue of Campbell, during the war in the West. 
The rangers under Rector were mostly Frenchmen, and were 
well acquainted with the management of a boat in such a crisis. 
Rector and his men were governed by the high and ennobling 
principles of chivalry and patriotism. Rector's boat was light- 
ened by the casting overboard quantities of provisions, and 
then many of the crew actually got out of the boat into the 
water, leaving the vessel between them and the fire of the 
enemy, and pushed their boat against the fire of the warriors to 
Campbell's boat, which was in possession of the Indians. This 
was a most hazardous exploit for forty men forcing their barge 
to a burning boat in possession of the enemy, nearly a thousand 
strong, and taking from it the wounded and living soldiers, 
together with their commander. 

A salt-water sailor by the name of Hoadley, did gallant ser- 
vice in this daring enterprise, by his superior knowledge of the 
management of a vessel. Rector took all the live men from 
Campbell's boat into his, and his men, in the water, hauled 
their own boat out into the stream. The Indians feasted on 
the abandoned boat of Campbell. Rector had his boat crowded 
with the wounded and dying, but rowed night and day until 



MY OWN TIMES. lOI 

they reached St. Louis. It was supposed the boat of Riggs 
was captured by the enemy, but the vessel was strongly forti- 
fied, so that it lay, as it were, in the hands of the Indians for 
several hours, the enemy having possession of the outside, and 
the whites of the inside, but the wind in the evening subsided, 
and Riggs got his boat off without losing many men. It was a 
general jubilee and rejoicing when Riggs arrived at St. Louis. 
The hearts of the people swelled with patriotic joy to know that 
the lives of so many brave soldiers were saved by the courage 
and energies of Rector, Riggs, and their troops. I saw the 
soldiers on their return to St. Louis, and the sight was dis- 
tressing. Those who were not wounded were worn down to 
skeletons by labor and fatigue. 

After the above disaster. Major Taylor, afterward President 
of the United States, was appointed to the command of another 
expedition on the Mississippi, and on the I2th August, 1814, 
he sailed from St. Louis with eight barges and four hundred 
and fifty men, forty of whom were regulars and the rest rangers 
and volunteers. The object of this expedition was to establish 
a fort in the heart of the Indian country, and maintain it. The 
other two expeditions had failed, and the present was fitted out 
with much care and foresight. I had two. brothers in it, but did 
not go myself Captains Vale, Samuel Whiteside, Nelson Rec- 
tor, Hempstead, and other officers commanded boats. Nothing 
uncommon occurred until they reached Rock Island, where they 
met British soldiers, cannons, and swarms of Indians. The 
British had captured our garrison at Prairie du Chien, and had 
the whole country in possession north of the settlements near 
the present city of Alton. 

Our white enemy was at Rock Island with many regulars, six 
pieces of cannon, and hordes of Indian warriors. Major Taylor, 
with his usual sound judgment, anchored his fleet out in the 
Mississippi, about one-half mile above the mouth of Rock 
River, and not far from three willow islands. It was supposed 
that the British had ordered the Indians to occupy these 
islands in great numbers in the night, as they swarmed with the 
red warriors at daylight. The British had, in the night, 
planted cannon in battery at the edge of the water, so as to 
destroy our boats in the morning. It was the British calcula- 
tion that the cannon would destroy our boats, and the men 
would have to swim to the islands, where the Indians would kill 
them. It is almost impossible to circumvent the Americans. 
Taylor ordered all his forces, except twenty men on each boat, 
to proceed to the islands and destroy the Indian warriors on 
them. This order was executed with great vigor and efficiency, 
and the Indians were either killed or drove down to the lower 
island. In the meantime, the British cannon opened a tre- 
mendous fire on our boats, that caused the soldiers to rush back 



102 MY OWN TIMES. 

to the boats to save them from the cannon-balls which were 
piercing them in every direction. British officers were seen 
mounted on horseback giving command to the cannonades, 
and many regulars and hundreds of Indians obeying. The 
boats were unable to resist the cannon, and almost every shot 
told on them. In the battle, some Indian canoes were seen on 
the lower island, and Captain Rector was ordered with some 
men to scour the island. He did so, and drove the Indians back 
into the willows, but the enemy reinforced, and in turn drove 
Rector back to the sand beach again. In this sortie from his 
boat. Rector was elegantly dressed in military costume, with a 
towering feather in his cap, and a sword drawn, leading his men 
to the charge. In this exposed situation, with hundreds of guns 
fired at him, he moved on undaunted as if he were in his mess- 
room with his comrades. The Rector family never knew what 
fear was. 

The boats under Taylor were ordered to retreat down the 
river, but just as Rector's boat got under way, it grounded and 
stuck fast. The Indians surrounded it, and it was with the 
utmost hard fighting they were kept out. All the boats had 
left except Captain Samuel Whiteside, who saw the imminent 
danger of Rector, with true courage and kindness of heart, 
returned to save his brother soldiers. If Whiteside had not 
returned, Rector and all his men were doomed to destruction. 
Rector's boat being saved, all descended the river until they 
were out of the reach of the cannon, when Major Taylor called 
a council of his officers. 

It was ascertained that there were more than a thousand 
Indians at and near Rock Island, and a detachment of British 
regulars, with six field-pieces; and the effective American sol- 
diers were only three hundred and thirty-four in number. This 
showed the force of the enemy to be more than three to one 
over the Americans. Under all circumstances, it was considered 
imprudent and improper to attack such superior forces, and the 
whole fleet descended the river to the site where Warsaw now 
stands. At this point. Fort Edwards was built, and Fort John- 
son, a few miles above, was burnt. 

After the erection of Fort Edwards, the troops remained 
three or four weeks, but the major part of them descended the 
river to St. Louis, and were discharged the i8th of October, 
1 8 14. Thus ended this expedition, which pretty much closed 
the war in the West. Scarcely any further Indian depredations 
were committed, and the troops were generally disbanded. On 
the 24th December, 18 14, peace was concluded at Ghent, in 
Europe, but the act was not known for some months there- 
after. I saw in the harbor of St. Louis the boats that were in 
Taylor's battle, at Rock Island, and they were riddled with the 
cannon balls. I think the balls were made of lead — at any rate 
they pierced the boats considerably. 



* MY OWN TIMES. lOJ 

In these engagements many of the enemy were killed, but 
the exact number could never be ascertained. The number of 
American soldiers, and particularly those on Campbell's boat, 
who were killed, could not be truly ascertained. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

The Government of Illinois. — Judges Revised the Statute Laws. — 
Duties of Governor Edwards.— Amusements of Courts. — Scott's 
Trick on McMahon at Cahokia. — Illinois Territory Established. — • 
Counties Created. — Second Grade of Government Adopted. — ^First 
Legislature. — The General Assembly Sat Annually at Kaskaskia. — 
Delegates to Congress. 

By the ordinance of 1787, there was provided for two classes 
•or grades of territorial government. The first grade gave the 
governor and judges the entire power of government. The 
second vested the power in the hands of the people. In the 
last -mentioned grade, the members of the legislature were 
elected by the people, but the governor possessed an absolute 
veto-^owev. The council, or upper branch of the general assem- 
bly was, in some cases, selected by the President from double 
the proper number elected by the people. In olden times, a 
property qualification was necessary to enable anyone to vote. 
He must possess fifty acres of land or a lot in a town. 

At a court in Cahokia, in olden times, a great crowd of people 
remained there all night, and the hotel, kept by E. Pensoneau, 
was filled to overflowing. One-half of this collection could not 
procure beds, and many did not want any. Robert McMahon, 
Esq., a judge of the court, and rather a dignified character, was 
anxious to obtain a bed, and not to sit up all night with the 
wild, frolicking party. Jehu Scott, an old settler and neighbor 
of McMahon, told him he could get him a bed, but he must go 
to it soon to keep others out of it. McMahon readily agreed to 
it, and would retire immediately. The wife of the landlord, E. 
Pensoneau, was sick in bed in a private room, and in the room 
there was not much light. Scott got McMahon slyly into the 
room of the sick woman, and told him to take his clothes oft 
without noise, so the others would not know it. Scott so timed 
it, that about the time McMahon would get his clothes off, he 
would tell Pensoneau there was a man in bed with his wife. 

When McMahon entered the room, and was taking his clothes 
off, Mrs. Pensoneau thought he was her husband, and said noth- 
ing, but as soon as he entered the bed and came in contact with 
her, she discovered the mistake, and so also did McMahon. At 
this crisis, Scott had so fixed it that Pensoneau entered his 
wife's bedroom with a light. He was an irritable Frenchman, 



104 ^lY OWN TIMES. 

and understood very little English. He in reality believed 
McMahon was in bed with his wife, and made a terrible noise- 
and bluster about it. He found McMahon with his clothes off, 
and commenced without ceremony to chastise him. He and 
the wife both laid on McMahon without stint, and banged him 
about the room in a furious style. By this time, Scott had all 
the wild, merry crowd at the room-door to witness the fun. All 
three, McMahon, Pensoneau, and his wife, were in a horrid 
fracas within the room, all shouting, scrambling, and fighting in 
terrible confusion. McMahon was trying to explain, but Pen- 
soneau did not understand, in the scuffle, his English explana- 
tions, and blustered on. At last, McMahon was forced out of 
the room naked, and abandoned his clothes and dignity. He 
ran to the crowd for protection, and to save himself from the 
fury of the landlord and wife. Never was such a farce enacted 
since Don Juan was whipped out of the bedroom of Donna 
Julia, in Spain. This was backwoods' merriment, and afforded 
the audience great amusement. The spectators laughed and 
shouted at the sport. In due time, the affair was explained to 
the satisfaction of all concerned, except Justice McMahon, who 
would prefer Scott to perpetrate his tricks on others and let him 
alone. 

Justice Scott was a most excellent man, kind and benevolent 
to all, and withal was gifted by nature with good abilities, but 
possessed, in an eminent degree, an extraordinary talent and 
disposition for amusement and backwoods' frolics. He came to 
Illinois in early times, and raised an excellent, moral, and re- 
spectable family. These frolics and amusements were the cus- 
tom of the times at that day, and almost all classes joined in 
them— as well my humble self as others. This class of amuse- 
ment is not now as common as in former days. The most 
common entertainment at this day, 1855, is acquiring wealth, 
and adding acres of land to the premises. 

On the 9th of February, 1809, the Territory of Illinois was 
established by act of Congress, and Ninian Edwards, of Ken- 
tucky, appointed governor. Nathaniel Pope was appointed 
secretary of state, and Jesse B. Thomas, William Sprigg, and 
Alexander Stuart, United States judges for the Territory. The 
new government was organized, and the laws of the Indiana 
Territory were adopted by the Governor and Judges. 

The Governor, on the 14th February, 18 12, issued a procla- 
mation for an election for or against a second grade of territorial 
government. The election was to be holden in the counties, on 
the first Monday of April, 18 12, and the two succeeding days, 
and a large majority of the votes were cast for the second grade 
of government. 

On the 1 6th of September, of the same year, the Governor 
and Judges established the counties of Madison, Johnson, Pope, 



MY OWN TIMES. lOj 

and Gallatin, and on the same day, an election for members was 
ordered to be holden in each county, on the 8th of October and 
the two succeeding days. 

The first general assembly held in Illinois, convened the 25th 
November, of this year, at Kaskaskia, which was the seat of 
government. Although the Indian war raged in Illinois during 
this year, nevertheless, the political government of the country 
was attended to. Governor Edwards made an active and 
efficient chief magistrate. 

The first legislative assembly of Illinois contained only five 
senators and seven members of the house of representatives, 
and one door-keeper attended to both houses. It is said, they 
all boarded at the same public -house, and lodged in the same 
room. They did not sit long, but passed many wholesome laws. 

At a subsequent legislature, a report was rftade by the com- 
mittee on finance, that the revenue imposed from taxes between 
the 1st of November, 181 1, and the 8th of the same month, 
1 8 14, was $4875,47. Of this sum, $2516.89 had been paid into- 
the treasury, and $2378.47 remained in the hands of the delin- 
quent sheriffs to be paid over. These facts present Illinois, in 
1812, in a mitshell; and little did the people of that day expect 
to hear the State of Illinois, as it is in 1855, called, with reason, 
"the Empire State of the West," or see her populatfon almost 
a million and a- half, and her railroads intersecting over every 
section of the country. 

In the session of the legislature of 18 12, Edwards County 
was established, and called Edwards in respect to the Governor. 

In the session of 18 15 and 18 16, the counties of White, Jack- 
son, and Monroe were established. 

In 1 8 16 and 18 17, the banking system commenced. The 
Illinois Bank, at Shawneetown, and the Edwardsville Bank 
were chartered, and both went into operation. They were made 
deposit-banks for the United States money. About 1820, they 
both failed, and did not answer the object of their creation. 

In 1 8 17 and 18 18, the Bank of Cairo was chartered, and con- 
nected with the project of building a large city at Cairo. Many 
respectable gentlemen were connected with this scheme, and a 
large city was to be the result. Every intelligent person at that 
day decided that a great city must at some day exist at this 
point — but at that time, almosf forty years back, the vv^hole 
West, and particularly the State of Illinois, was poor and weak, 
but the time, in all human probability, has now arrived when a 
great Western city will be built at Cairo. 

The territorial legislature of Illinois sat every year at Kas- 
kaskia, and held short sessions. I never attended them, except 
once or twice, when I had business at Kaskaskia, when they 
were in session. 

The delegates in Congress from the territory of Illinois were 



I06 MY OWN TIMES. 

all worthy and respectable characters. Shadrach Bond was 
elected the first delegate in Congress in 1812. This gentleman 
was also the first governor of the State, and possessed a char- 
acter of high standing, and of great moral worth. Wisdom and 
integrity shed a beacon-light around his path through life, show- 
ing him to be one of "the noblest works of God." These 
adorning traits of character, wisdom, and integrity, together 
with other noble qualities, gave Gov. Bond a high standing 
with his contemporaries. Benjamin Stephenson was elected a 
delegate in 18 14, and made a respectable and worthy member. 
Nathaniel Pope was elected a delegate to Congress in 18 16, and 
rendered probably as much valuable service, in that body, to 
advance the best interest of Illinois, as any member ever did 
from that day to the present. He procured the northern 
boundary of the State to be extended north from the southern 
bend of Lake Michigan to the latitude of 42 deg. 30 min. north. 
He obtained, also, the act of Congress to enable the people of 
the territory to form a State Government when we had only 
forty thousand inhabitants. 



CHAPTER XXXni. 

Miscellaneous. — Expedition of Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean. 
— The Cold Friday in 1805.— A Tornado in 1805.— The Author 
Studied the French Language. — Names of Places. — How they Origi- 
nated. 

In 1803, when the United States acquired Louisiana, Presi- 
dent Jefferson decided, with the approbation of Congress, to 
explore the country between the Mississippi River and the 
Pacific Ocean, and he appointed Captain Merriweather Lewis 
and Lieutenant William Clark to take command of the explor- 
ing party. This small body of explorers, thirty-four in number, 
encamped during the winter of 1803 and 1804 in the American 
Bottom, within the limits of the present Madison County, not 
far from the mouth of Wood River, and there prepared for the 
arduous duty to visit the Pacific Ocean. 

On the 14th May, 1804, the party set sail on the Missouri 
River, and passed the first winter at the Mandon Village of In- 
dians. From this place many of the men were sent back, and 
only thirty-odd marched under Lewis and Clark to the Pacific 
Ocean. With much difficulty the Rocky Mountains were 
passed, and on the 17th November, 1805, the party reached the 
main ocean. On the 27th March, 1806, they commenced the 
march home, and reached St. Louis in the fall. I recollect 
there was much rejoicing in the country for their safe return. 

In the winter of 1805, occurred what was known all over the 



MY OWN TIMES. 10/ 

West as "the cold Friday." I resided then with my father near 
Kaskaskia, and even in that latitude it was a most extraordinary 
day. I had not, at that time, ever seen a thermometer, and 
perhaps there was not one in the country. The degrees of cold 
I could not state, but this day was uniformly recognized as "the 
cold Friday" throughout the country. 

On the 5th June, 1805, a terrific hurricane swept over a part 
of Illinois. It was one of those tempests or whirlwinds, which 
at intervals occur and desolate the country where it passes. 
This tornado proceeded with much violence in its course from 
the south-west to the north-east, and crossed the Mississippi 
about a mile below the mouth of the Merrimack River. It was 
about three-fourths of a mile wide, and to that extent it de- 
stroyed every living creature, and prostrated every tree in its 
course. It swept the water out of the Mississippi and lakes in 
the American Bottom, and scattered the fish in every direction 
on the dry land. William Blair had a boat moored near it, and 
saw the water of the river raised up in the air and dashed about 
with the greatest violence. This tempest passed over the coun- 
try about one o'clock, and the day before it was clear and 
pleasant. Persons who saw it informed me that it at first ap- 
peared a terrible large black column moving high in the air, and 
whirling round with great violence; as it approached, its size 
and the terrific roaring attending it increased. It appeared as 
if innumerable small birds were flying with it in the air; but as 
it approached nearer, the supposed birds were limbs and 
branches of trees, propelled with the storm. As the tornado 
approached, it became darker, and in the passage of the tem- 
pest, perfect and profound darkness prevailed, without any 
show of light whatever. Dr. Carnes and family resided in the 
direct line of the storm, and when he saw it approaching him 
and family, with the certainty of destruction if he remained in 
his house, he caught up his children and escaped its worst 
violence. His wife was in the vortex more than the Doctor, and 
fared worse. She was wounded in the head, but saved herseh 
by holding on to a bush and prostrating herself on the earth. 
The stock of the Doctor was all destroyed. A bull was raised 
high in the air and dashed to pieces. A rail was run through a 
horse in his yard. The violence of the tornado was so great 
that it tore up the sills of the house in which the Doctor 
resided, and left not a stone on the ground where the stone 
chimney to the house had stood before the passage of the 
storm. The papers, books, and clothes of the Doctor were 
strewed for several miles around, by the force of the tornado. 
The violence of this storm mostly subsided after it passed over 
the Mississippi Bluff. It struck the bluff about the place where 
the line dividing the counties of St. Clair and Monroe crosses 
the bluff. No storm ever occurred in Illinois, in the memory of 



I03 MY OWN TIMES. 

man, to equal the above. These great convulsions of nature 
occur but seldom, but when they do, they teach man a lesson 
of his weakness and dependence on the Creator. 

In the winter of 1812, and at other spare intervals from the 
ranging service, I studied, and learned well the French lan- 
guage. I was then fresh from the college, and was a good 
Latin scholar. I found the French language not at all difficult 
to learn in the books; but to speak it, and understand it when 
it was spoken, was much more difficult, and required much 
time and practice to accomplish, but by continual practice for 
years, I become well acquainted with it, and used it mostly in 
my intercourse with my family for sixteen or eighteen years. 
The French is a most agreeable and fascinating language in 
domestic circles, and seems to be peculiar in the advancement 
of the pleasures and happiness of social and convivial assemblies. 

The names of certain localities frequently arise by singular_ 
circumstances. In very early times in Illinois, about the year 
1780, Shadrack Bond, and some other Americans, as they were 
then called by the French, located on the alluvial low lands of 
the Mississippi, between Kaskaskia and Cahokia, and the 
French and others gave this large tract of country the name of 
the "American Bottom," which it has retained to this day. 
The name, and particularly the tract of coun'ry embraced by 
the name, is known all over the Union as a region of country 
containing the largest extent of fertile soil in one body of any 
other in America. It extends from Alton almost to Chester, 
nearly one hundred miles long, and averages five or six miles 
wide. It is of alluvial formation, made by the Mississippi, and 
presents a soil of inexhaustible fertility. Another settlement, 
the "New Design," situated a few miles south of the present 
town of Waterloo, Monroe County, received its name from the 
patriarch and noble pioneer, Rev. James Leman, Sr. About 
the year 1786, Mr. Leman was residing in the American Bot- 
tom, and observed that he had a new design, to make a settle- 
ment south of Belle Fountaine, which is near the present Water- 
loo. The public, from this circumstance, called it the "JSTew 
Design Settlement." This was, at one day, the largest Ameri- 
can colony in Illinois — commenced by Mr. Leman under the 
above circumstances. 

Turkey Hill Settlement was commenced by another worthy 
and respectable patriarch, William Scott, Sr., in the year 1798, 
and a considerable colony was formed around it. The name 
"Turkey Hill," in French, Cote d'lndie, was given to this beau- 
tiful and commanding elevation by the French so early that 
"the memory of man runneth not to the contrary," in Illinois. 
Turkey Hill was, for ages past, a favorite camping-ground for 
the Indians; and the traders frequently at this point exchanged 
goods for the peltries and furs of the red man. It is situated in 



MY OWN TIMES. IO9 

St. Clair County, about three miles south-east of Belleville, and 
can be seen from some sections of the country at a distance oi 
thirty or forty miles. 

"Whiteside's Station" was another conspicuous point, and 
around it were formed some settlements. Wilfiam Whiteside, a 
brave and efficient defender of his country from Indian depre- 
dations, and a soldier who fought at the battle of King's Moun- 
tain, settled this place in the year 1792, and made it what it was 
"a station," or fort, to defend the inhabitants from the attacks 
of hostile Indians. Whiteside had a son killed almost in the 
yard of this station by the Indians. The station is situated on 
the ancient road from Kaskaskia to Cahokia, between the pres- 
ent towns of Waterloo and Columbia, in Monroe County. 

The Belle Fontaine was another famous position, named by 
the French, and at it was once a town laid out. It was settled 
by James Moore, Sen'r, in the year 1781. Mr. Moore's was 
about the first, perhaps was quite the first American family, that 
settled on the high land of Illinois, between Prairie du Rocher 
and Cahokia. Mr. Moore was a brave, energetic pioneer, whose 
respectable and worthy posterity in Illinois is very large. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Sketch of the Author's Life. — Acting for Himself — First Practice ol 
the Law. — Traffic in Land. — Merchandise. — Conveyance of Money 
from Vincennes to St. Louis. — Small Law-Library. 

In the winter and spring of 18 14, I established a very humble 
and obscure law-office in the French village of Cahokia. This 
town was then the seat of justice of St. Clair County, which was 
the largest and most wealthy county in the territory. But the 
main inducement which caused me to settle in Cahokia, was 
a relative of mine, Joseph A. Beaird, Esq., who resided there, 
and was a benevolent and excellent man. He was wealthy, 
respectable, and possessed considerable standing in society. I 
made his house my home, and rented a room in the village for 
my office. I knew it was a pleasure for him to entertain me, 
or otherwise I would not have lived with him. 

When I commenced "on my own resources," I had not one 
cent of money or scarcely any books or clothes. I had a horse, 
but not a decent saddle or bridle. I had not then received any 
pay for my ranging services, and was literally enjoying life and 
happiness without a dollar in my pocket. It is true I had 
credit in a small manner. I was like the man's oxen: he said 
"they were strong in light work." My credit was strong in. 
small sums. All my law-books could have been easily packed 



no MY OWN TIMES. 

in a common carpet-bap^; they were all put on the mantel-piece 
over the fireplace in my rented room, and did not fill it. 

I had a press of business all the time from 1814, while I re- 
mained in the practice of the law and in the traffic of land — as 
much as I could perform. I was exceedingly industrious and 
active. I was young, ardent, and I think energetic. Labor, 
mental or physicial, was a pleasure to me. I saw I must "do 
or die," and laid on in true good earnest. My first attempt to 
address the court in Belleville, before his honor Judge Thomas, 
was disagreeable and painful, and I acquitted myself veiy much 
to my dissatisfaction and discredit generally. I had no doubt 
the public, who did not know me intimately, concluded, on 
witnessing this exhibition, that I never could succeed as a 
lawyer — I feared it myself A person where he has been raised, 
and that in an humble and obscure condition, labors under great 
disadvantages when he attempts to embrace a learned profession. 
The Saviour himself complained of his situation in this respect. 
Mahomet did the same. A prophet stands better abroad than 
he does in his native land. I laughed with the others at my 
failure, but was determined to do better. I considered my 
honor and character at stake, and that was more important to 
me than bread. In Madison County, I experienced nearly the 
same fate, and the public doubted my success. By repeated 
efforts and many failures, together with my old antidote, a 
savage self-will to succeed, enabled me to experience less pain 
and more success in my practice. But the main profitable bus- 
iness I did in these four years was the commerce in land. The 
whole country was improving fast; immigration was flowing 
rapidly in, and bank paper was circulating in great abundance. 
Under these circumstances, land increased greatly in value in 
a short time, and was salable. With my knowledge of the 
country, and use of the compass, I soon ascertained the best 
selections of land, and with my partner, Mr. Beaird, who was 
wealthy, I did some considerable business in the land commerce. 
One thing we observed with scrupulous exactness — never to 
deal in land the title of which was bad or doubtful. I never in! 
my life had to respond to the failure of the title of any land 
which I warranted. 

In the commencement of these four years, I surveyed private 
lands considerable, and made some money at the business. In 
this manner I acted in my commencement of life, and did well. 
I used great industry and economy, and found these companions 
through life to be my friends, "the kindest and the best." In 
these four years I speculated, sold land, and bought two stores 
of dry goods, amounting to ten thousand dollars. The land and 
goods were rated at high prices. But when I was appointed 
judge, I ceased my land speculations, and entered another field 
of more trouble and less profit. 



MY OWN TIMES. Ill 

In 1815, I was in Vincennes on business, and undertook ta 
convey twenty-six thousand dollars in bank notes, from pay- 
master Hempstead to Major Douglass, in St. Louis, who was 
also a United States' pay-master. There was no settlement, at 
that day, between Vincennes and the Kaskaskia River. I 
waited some days in Vincennes for the bank to arrange the 
money for me. I had two trusty Frenchmen with me to guard 
us. The first night we lay out the horses were alarmed, and we 
feared that we should be robbed. It was known in Vincennes 
that we had the money. Upon my arrival in St. Louis, I 
handed the money to Major Douglass, who wanted me to re- 
main in the office while he counted it. I told him it was all 
there I got of Major Hempstead, and that if it was too little I 
could not make it up, and if too much he might have it. He 
laughed, and I left the room — glad of it. 

I scarcely ever attended an election, at that day, or knew or 
cared anything about politics or the government of the country. 
As heretofore stated, I had an inherent distaste and contempt 
for the business of electioneering, and had not the most distant 
idea of any office whatever for myself. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

Extension of the Settlements. — Improvements. — Agriculture. — Com- 
merce. — Commerce to New Mexico. 

Although during the war, the settlements did not much 
extend their borders, yet the population and wealth of the 
country increased. War is not so alarming after the people be- 
come accustomed to it; so that the country improved even when 
the enemy was lurking around the frontiers. But when peace 
was established, the country grew up almost like Jonah's gourd, 
in one night. 

Mr. Coop and family, in the spring of 181 5, broke through 
the old Indian frontier of Madison County, and settled in the 
limits of the present county of Macoupin. Thomas Carlin, after- 
ward governor of the State, Thomas Rollin, and many others, 
located in that beautiful and picturesque country, around the 
present Carrollton. 

In 18 19 and 1820, the Sangamon country became famous for 
its beauty of surface and fertility of soil, and hundreds settled 
in it. At the same time, many also settled around the Dia- 
mond Grove, and other localities in the present county of Mor- 
gan. The colonies extended on the Kaskaskia River above the 
site of the present Carlyle. 

In the interior, the settlements composing the counties of 
Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and the adjacent counties. 



112 MY OWN TIMES, 

were commenced. Governor Casey, then a young man, with 
his family, settled in 1816, near the present town of Mt. Vernon, 
and lived in a camp the first winter. Colonies were also formed 
•on the Wabash River, and extended up above Vincennes. 

The country increased in population with unparalleled ra- 
pidity, so that at the formation of the State Government, in 
1 8 18, there were more than forty thousand inhabitants in the 
Territory, while in 18 10, there were only 12,284, niaking an in- 
•crease of upwards of 27,718 in eight years. 

It will be recollected that it was stated in a former chapter, 
that there were only six counties in the Territory in 18 12, when 
the first General Assembly convened at Kaskaskia, but in 18 18, 
there were fifteen counties in all. 

At the formation of the State Government in 18 18, four-fifths 
of the State was a wilderness, and the settlements confined to 
the southern section of the State, and mostly on the margins of 
the great rivers. 

Agriculture assumed a better standing and efficiency than 
heretofore. The horse-race tracks were converted into corn- 
iields, and the rifle exchanged for the plough. Hunting was 
abandoned, and churches, school -houses, and civilization took 
their places. The farmers commenced to raise stock for. ex- 
portation. Hogs and cattle grew in the river-bottoms without 
much care or expense, and yielded a rich reward to the hus- 
bandman. Horses were also raised for exportation, and money 
flowed into the country through these various channels to repay 
manifold the farmer. The country was new, and the range 
was excellent, so that stock was raised as above stated, without 
much expense or trouble. The Ohio drovers expended con- 
siderable money in the country for cattle. Commerce also 
commenced, and existed in direct proportion to the increase of 
the products of the country. 

Steamboats in 18 17, visited St. Louis, and the overland com- 
merce to Santa Fe was inci^eased. The ancient channels of 
commerce were more crowded with produce, and the country 
"was abundantly prosperous and happy for many years after, the 
war of 18 1 2, with Great Britian. 

In connection with the Santa Fe trade, it is due to history to 
state that Colonel William Morrison, of Kaskaskia, was the first 
who laid the foundation of the commerce across the plains from 
the Mississippi Valley to New Mexico. He was an early pio- 
neer, and immigrated from Philadelphia to Kaskaskia in the 
year 1790. He soon occupied, in the valley of the Mississippi, 
the grand and lofty position in commerce for which nature had 
designed him. He possessed a strong mind and great energy, 
and exerted his great abilities in the commerce throughout the 
Western Valley. In 1804, he embarked in the trade across the 
plains to Santa Fe, and also supplied merchandise to a great 



MY OWN TIMES. II3 

portion of the inhabitants and retail dealers both in Illinois and 
upper Louisiana. Not only was he distinguished for commercial 
enterprise, but he also took the lead in many of the great and 
useful improvements of his day. He built two magnificent 
bridges over the Kaskaskia River — one at Covington, Washing- 
ton County, and the other at Kaskaskia. He was possessed of 
a princely fortune, and with it at his command, together with 
his intelligent and enlightened views of public policy, he was a 
great and useful benefactor to his country. 

Many other merchants of olden times possessed also efficient 
talents and great enterprise. Colonel Peter Menard and Gen- 
eral John Edgar, of Kaskaskia, were, in the early settlement of 
the country, efficient and conspicious operators in the commerce 
of the Mississippi Valley. 



CHAPTER XXXVI 

Regulators in Illinois. — Regulating Company Organized in St. Clair Co. 
— Mob-Law in 1831, on the Ohio River. — In Edgar County Lynch- 
Law was Established. — In Ogle County a Horrid Tragedy was 
Enacted in 1841. — A Case in Madison County. — Cases in Pope and 
Massac Counties in 1846. — Public Opinion should Condemn Mob- 
Law. 

Some time after the close of the late war with Great Britian, 
the country was flooded with bank-notes, good, bad, and indif- 
ferent. Many counterfeit notes were in circulation. This evil 
caused many good citizens of St. Clair County to organize a 
Regulating Company, as they styled themselves, and Dr. Estes, 
of Belleville, was elected Captain. This company was estab- 
lished in 18 1 5, and remained in existence only a few months. 
In direct violation of law and the rights of the citizens, they 
undertook to execute punishment on those who were supposed 
by the company to be guilty of making or passing counterfeit 
money, or any other crime. 

The organization of this compny, and the punishment they 
inflicted on certain citizens, whom they were satisfied were 
guilty, created great excitement in the country, and in the end 
public opinion condemned it. 

On Silver Creek, and other places, punishment was inflicted 
indiscriminately, and some were ordered to leave the country. 

This was the first attempt to introduce Lynch -law in the 
country, but the same misfortune, no doubt based on good and 
pure motives by many engaged in it, has been visited on the 
people of Illinois at other periods of their history. 

In 183 1, on the Ohio River, in Illinois, a mob-spirit prevailed, 
and a fort which was erected by the suspected persons was taken 



114 MY OWN TIMES. 

by storm, and three of the inmates killed. One of the regulators 
was also killed, and the suspected gang broken up. The leaders 
of the gang in the fort were known as the Sturdevants. Not 
long after, another court, governed by the law of force, known 
as the Lynch-law, was opened in Edgar County, in this State, 
and some suspected persons were whipped and driven out of 
the country. 

The most horrid and outrageous tragedy occured in Ogle 
Country, in the year 1841, where several men were murdered 
under the proceedings of the mob law. 

It is stated that a band of bad men existed in this country, 
near or in the White Rock Grove, and they were ordered to 
leave the country. Some of the gang were in the jail, and 
their friends burnt the court house in order that the inmates of 
the jail might escape. Great excitement prevailed; and Camp- 
bell, the Captain of the regulators, was killed. This still en- 
raged the citizens, and a cry was raised against the murderers, 
who could not be found; but an old man, named Driscoll, and 
his two sons, were taken as accessories to the murder. After a 
trial of a whole day, before three hundred of an excited populace 
as judges and jurors, the old man, Driscoll, and one of his sons, 
were sentenced to be shot within one hour. A minister of the 
gospel administered the consolation of religion to the men 
about to be murdered. What a wicked perversion of the New 
Testament! The unfortunate men were placed in a praying 
position, and were fired upon by the whole three hundred regu- 
lators. This was done that none could be witnesses against the 
others. It is said also that about one hundred of these regula- 
tors were tried for murder and all acquitted. 

At a late day, in Madison County, Illinois, a suspected man 
resided near Collinsville, and a company of regulators was 
formed for his punishment. He was found fishing in a lake in 
the American Bottom, and shot. He wounded some of the 
regulators, but not mortally. Many of the regulators were tried 
for murder; their trial was moved to another county, and they 
were finally acquitted. 

In the counties of Massac and Pope, in the year 1846, for 
several months the citizens were kept in constant alarm and 
excitement by two organized parties, known as "Regulators," 
and "Moderators." The only difference in this outrage on the 
laws, from the others above noticed, was that the parties were 
nearly equal; each side claimed to be honest citizens, and de- 
nounced their opponents as rogues. The Lovejoy mob, at 
Alton, the mob of the Mormon war, and the non-execution of 
the Fugitive-Slave Law, at Chicago, will be noticed hereafter. 

I have presented the above cases of mob -violence to the 
public for their consideration. Although, on many occasions, 
good and honest men were engaged in the regulating companies^ 



MY OWN TIMES. II5 

yet they committed great crimes by the violation of the laws 
and constitution of the country. In every point of view it is 
wTong to violate the law, and nothing is more dangerous to the 
free institutions of our country than many acts performed under 
the fascinating delusion "of running the rogues out the country." 
It is similar to a physician killing his patient to cure him. An 
unpopular sect of religionists, like the Mormons, may be run of* 
by an infuriated mob. All that we hold dear and sacred, even 
religion itself, our sheet-anchor of happiness here and hereafter, 
may be destroyed by an unthinking, senseless mob. It is the 
laws and constitution that make us a free people, and give this 
Republic such a standing as it now has all over the civilized 
world. Permit the whole country to adopt the mob -law doc- 
trine, and our happiness, and the Union itself, would not exist 
one single year. 

Some unthinking men say that Lynch -law may do good in 
some extreme cases, and on such occasions justify this mob- 
spirit. As well might these men say: a government is good, 
except in extreme cases, when it is better to have no govern- 
ment, but permit the lawless passions of men to govern the 
country. 

Those engaged in this mob-law, take the ground that man is 
not capable of self-government; that the laws of the country 
are insufficient, and the administration of them impotent and 
cannot accomplish the object of government. This is the acted 
argument of monarchy; it is the silent, forcible language ot 
tyranny and oppression; and although good, honest men may, 
at times, engage in these regulating mobs, yet their actions are 
tyranny and oppression, not only on their fellow-men, but 
against the sacred laws and Constitution of the country. 

The regulators assume the right to be wiser and better than 
the community, and can govern the country better than the 
constituted government itself Many good-meaning men do 
not reflect that they are, in this unholy crusade, the worst ene- 
mies to the country, by trampling under foot the laws they 
themselves have enacted. The crazy fanatic may consider him- 
self doing God a service when he is burning his brother-man at 
the stake, which has been frequently witnessed in ancient times. 
The same spirit that burnt human beings at the stake, to rid the 
world of heretics, is actuating the regulators to rid the country 
of bad men. The trial by jury, the habeas corpus act, and all 
the blessings of freedom and civil liberty, by this mob-law are 
trampled under foot, and an infuriated rabble of irresponsible 
men are not satisfied until blood is shed and the laws broken. 

There is no case where Lynch -law or mob -violence can be. 
justified, and every good citizen should have the moral courage 
to speak out aloud to the public in condemnation of this course. 
An enlightened and correct public opinion can destroy this mis- 



Il6 MY OWN TIMES. 

rule and disgrace to our free institutions; nothing else, under a 
free government, can; and I appeal to it, with confidence, to 
correct this great evil. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Early Religion in Illinois.— The Roman Catholic Denomination. — The 
Jesuit Missionaries Founded Kaskaskia and Cahokia. — The Rev. 
Mr. Oliver, of Prairie da Rocher.— The Creed of the Roman 
Catholic Church. — Christian Creeds are Substantially the Same. — 
Roman Catholic Statistics. 

The Roman Catholic missionaries were the first white men 
that planted the standard of the Cross in the Mississippi Valley, 
and around their missionary stations, where they instructed the 
Indians, assembled the first white population. These mission- 
aries were talented and efficient bearers of the Cross, and 
traversed all sections of the West, from Canada to New Orleans, 
to Christianize the savages. They were the first who erected 
Christian churches in Illinois, and preached the gospel to the 
people. 

The Rev. James Marquette was the first Christian missionary 
who explored the country, in the year 1673, and extended his 
travels to the Arkansas. The Rev. Father Alloues, about the 
year 1682, established the first white Christian congregation in 
the West. This missionary station and church were erected in 
the Kaskaskia Indian Village, and is the same site which the 
village of Kaskaskia now occupies, in Randolph County. 
About the same time, Father Pinet founded a church at the 
Indian Village of Cahokia, which occupied the same place 
where Cahokia now stands. 

Thus it will be seen that the first settlements in the great 
Valley of the West were planted in peace and Christianity, and 
the fruit has flourished in such an eminent degree that the coun- 
try is rapidly progressing to its high destiny. 

Almost the entire French population wqre Roman Catholics, 
and remain so to this day. The clergy were generally intelli- 
gent and pious men, who were also eminent scholars. They 
had travelled much, and had devoted their time and talents 
exclusively to the advancement of Christianity. 

Among the most ancient American inhabitants were many 
Roman Catholics, who were, as well as their French neighbors, 
peaceable, orderly, and good citizens. 

• One of the ancient pioneer clergymen was the celebrated Mr. 
Oliver, of Prairie du Rocher, Randolph County. This Rev. 
Divine was a native of Italy, and was a high dignitary in the 
Roman Catholic Church for more than half a century. He 



MY OWN TIMES. II7 

acquired a great reputation for his sanctity and holiness, and 
some believed him possessed of the power to perform small 
miracles, to which he made no pretensions. 

In 1 8 16, a Catholic Church was established on Prairie du 
Long Creek, Monroe County, and some years thereafter an- 
other, a fetv miles south, toward Prairie du Rocher. 

In 1824, a small congregation of Roman Catholics immi- 
grated from Kentucky, and settled in Sangamon County, Illi- 
nois, and many of that sect remain there to this day. 

These colonies of Americans, together with the French, em- 
braced all the Catholic congregations in Illinois in early days. 
At this time, many churches and congregations of Roman 
Catholics, composed of parts of almost all nations, are scattered 
throughout the length and breadth of the State. The Catholic 
denomination holds the fourth rank in numbers in the State — 
the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians being the more 
numerous. 

According to the census of 1850, the Catholic denomination 
in the State of Illinois possesses fifty-eight churches; can 
accommodate 29,000 members; and owns $229,400 worth of 
property. I have little doubt that the Catholic society are 
much larger than reported by the census. 

When that narrow prejudice and ill-nature, which to such 
extent existed in the dark ages among sects, wears off by the 
light of reason and the progress of the age, the Roman Catho- 
lics, and all other denominations of religionists will be friends, 
and worship the great Supreme Being at the same altars. The 
creeds and confessions of faith of all Christian denominations 
are not so dissimilar as to render the devotees hostile and 
unfriendly to each other. The moral precepts contained in the 
Scriptures, by which the conduct and actions of men are 
governed, are the same to all, and so recognized by all the 
various Christian sects. The following is the creed of the 
Roman Catholic Church, and which, it will be discovered, is 
substantially the same in all the Christian churches: 

*T believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of 
Heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible; and in one 
Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, Light of 
Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; con-substan- 
tial with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us 
men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was 
incarnated by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, AND WAS 
MADE MAN: He was crucified, also, under Pontius Pilate; suf- 
fered, and was buried; and the third day He arose again, 
according to the Scriptures, and he ascended into Heaven, and 
sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he is to come 
again in glory to judge the living and the dead — of whose King- 
dom there shall be no end: and in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, 



Il8 MY OWN TIMES. 

the Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father; and the 
Son who spoke by the Prophets: and one Holy Cathohc and 
Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of 
sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and life-ever- 
lasting. — Amen." 

It will be seen by a reference to the creeds of other Christian 
denominations, that the above differs not, substantially, from 
any other Christian creed or confession of faith. I cannot dis- 
cover why it is that one faith and Christian creed is not as good 
as another, and all good when based on the Scriptures. When 
a Christian exercises his best judgment on the Scriptures, and 
arrives at a faith, or creed, it must be right and good as to him. 
No power on earth, except the person himself, has control of 
his conscience. This inestimable right is secured to all in the 
United States by the Constitution and laws of the land, and is 
the greatest element of our prosperity and happiness. As, 
therefore, no one has the right to decide on matters of faith and 
conscience, the creed of each Christian must be right to himself, 
when it is founded on the best lights in his power. Being all 
right, and the moral precepts being the same in the Scriptures, 
the actions and conduct of the various sects of Christians must 
be substantially the same, and all good. Under this view of the 
subject, it matters not what particular creed or faith any Chris- 
tian may possess — all might belong to the same church. The 
creed of the Romish Church is considered by that sect "infal- 
lible" and perfect. They say that Providence established this 
church, and that St. Peter is the successor of the Saviour him- 
self The Protestants assume the ground that each member of 
the church has the right of private judgment, and can adopt the 
faith and creed dictated to him by his own conscience. It is 
quite immaterial how the person arrives at his faith, or creed, so 
that it is reached with honesty and sincerity. 

Not only ought all Christians to be friends to one another — 
"love thy neighbor as thyself" — but they might all belong with 
propriety to the same church and worship at the same altar. 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

Early Methodist Denomination in Illinois. — The Rev. Joseph Lillard, 
First Methodist Preacher in Illinois in 1793. — The Early Clergymen. 
— Hosea Riggs, Benjamin Young, Chas. R. Matheny, Thomas Har- 
rison, Jesse Walker, Peter Cartwright. — The Methodist Statistics. 

The Rev. Joseph Lillard was the first Methodist preacher, 
and formed the first Methodist Church in Illinois, in the year 
1793. He had been a circuit-rider in Kentucky in 1790, and 
established the first church in the New Design Settlement, in 



MY OWN TIMES. II9 

Illinois. In this church he appointed Captain Joseph Ogle the 
first class-leader in the country. Mr. Lillard was a pious, 
exemplary man, whose labors sowed the first seeds of Method- 
ism in Illinois. This small commencement continued, and now 
the Methodist Society is the largest Christian denomination in 
the State. 

The next permanent Methodist preacher who immigrated to 
the country was Hosea Riggs. He arrived in Illinois in the 
year 1796, and remained in the country, preaching and doing 
good, until the year 1841, when he died at his residence, a few 
miles east of Belleville, aged eighty-one years. 

In 1804, Benjamin Young was the first circuit - rider who 
travelled in Illinois. He was appointed by the "Western An- 
nual Conference," which extended from Pittsburg to Natchez, 
throughout the valley of the Mississippi. Mr. Young made his 
appointments at times to preach at my father's house, in Ran- 
dolph County, in the year 1804, and was the first preacher I ever 
heard, as I recollect. He traversed the whole American settle- 
ment, and did much good. Mr. Riggs, after that time, also 
preached at my father's residence, in Randolph County, in 1805. 
These religious meetings were the first ever held in Randolph 
County. 

The Rev. Thomas Harrison immigrated to Illinois in 1804, 
and has continued to preach the gospel, more or less, in Illinois 
for half a century or more. 

Dr. Joseph Oglesby rode the circuit in Illinois in 1805, and 
Charles R. Matheny the next year. The latter gentleman 
remained in the country, filled several important offices, and 
died in Springfield, Illinois, leaving a highly respectable family. 

The intrepid and energetic pioneer-preacher, the Rev. Jesse 
Walker, appeared in the country in the year 1806, and devoted 
his great energies to the permanent prosperity of the Methodist 
Church in Illinois. He was the undaunted, and a kind of Mar- 
tin Luther patriarch of the Church of the West, and bore 
triumphantly the standard of the Cross throughout the wilder- 
nes§- country, as well to the red men as the white. He was a 
native of the country near Petersburgh, Virginia — emigrated to 
North Carolina, and there embraced religion. He moved to 
West Tennessee in 1802, and was ordained to preach by the 
"Western Conference," and preached four years on the western 
frontiers of Kentucky and Tennessee. At his request, he was 
located as a preacher in Illinois, in the year 1806; and the next 
year, mostly by his efforts, eighty members were added to the 
church, which swelled it in all to two hundred and twenty 
members. 

The next year, the celebrated Bishop McKendre visited the 
country as bishop, and organized various churches. During 
this year, 1807, two camp-meetings were held in Illinois, one at 



120 MY OWN TIMES. 

Shiloh, in St. Clair County, and the other a few miles south of 
the present Edwardsville. These were the two first camp-meet- 
ings held in Illinois, and were the first I ever attended. At 
these meetings. Rev. Mr. Walker assisted Bishop McKendre in 
preaching. Several other preachers also attended these camps 
and preached. These protra'^ted meetings were a new thing in 
the country at that early day, and attracted much attention. 
The greater portion of the American population of the territory 
attended them. The old and young, the gay and serious, all 
appeared on the camp-ground, and were pleased in*heir respec- 
tive spheres. These were the largest assemblies of the people I 
ever saw at that day, and the novelty of the scene was very 
interesting to me. 

The Rev. Jesse Walker located himself and family in the 
vicinity of Shiloh, and preached and attended the affairs of the 
church for many years. He was appointed elder, in 1812, of 
Missouri and Illinois. At one time, in this neighborhood, in St.. 
Clair County, between thirty and forty preachers resided. Mr. 
Walker was exceedingly energetic, and seemed to be a mis- 
sionary from on High to advance the gospel into the extended 
frontiers. In 1820, he appeared in St. Louis, Missouri, and 
became determined to plant the standard of Methodistism in 
that place. The Legislature was then in session there, and 
many of the members advised Father Walker that it was impos- 
sible to establish a Methodist Church in St. Louis. Indomi- 
table courage was one of the main elements in the character of 
Mr. Walker, and he decided, like Martin Luther, that if the 
tops of the houses were covered with devils, he would urge on 
the gospel. He once abandoned the project, but returned 
eighteen miles, saying: "By the grace of God I will go back to 
St. Louis." He procured at first a Baptist Church, but remained 
in it for a short time; he then rented, at his own expense, a 
large, unfinished building, and preached in it with much success. 
He also taught a school gratis. He possessed much warmth 
and excitability, and soon produced the same feelings in his. 
congregation. His forte in preaching, and I have heard ^im 
often, was to arouse the passions, and thereby great excitement 
was produced. It was under his preaching that many of the 
congregation became convulsed, shouted, and had what was 
then called the jerks, already alluded to. In St. Louis, the 
negroes were the first excited, then the lower classes of the 
whites. He continued in his exertions until many of all classes 
became interested in religion, when he established a large 
church, where, he said, "devilism" as he called it, prevailed 
before. He hired men, and with them, and his own hands, he 
cut the timber on the Illinois side of the Mississippi for a church 
in St. Louis — and it was erected there. This humble pioneer- 
church was known for many years as "Father- Walker's Church.'" 



MY OWN TIMES. 121 

Religion may hail Jesse Walker as the first preacher who estab- 
lished a Methodist Church in the city of St. Louis. 

The next effort of Mr. Walker was with the Indians. He 
had assigned to him in 1824, a circuit in the north, embracing 
the whites and the savages together. He established a mission 
among the Pottawatomie Indians, some few miles north of the 
present town of Ottawa, Illinois, and labored with the red men 
to propagate the gospel and civilization among them. He 
finally withdrew to Chicago, and was the first pioneer-preacher 
that establisffed a church in that place. He erected a small log 
house near the forks of the Chicago River, and preached in it 
for many years. After a long period of hard service, and filled 
with age and honor, he breathed his last in Chicago, and was 
buried there. His death was considered a public bereavement, 
and as such, and also for his real worth, he was followed to his 
grave by public opinion with sincere sorrow and mournful feel- 
ings. A few years after his death, his friends disinterred his 
remains, and with much funeral pomp and pageantry buried 
him again at a small village, at which was his family burying- 
ground, west of Chicago. His mortal remains sleep in peace 
with his Methodist friends, and his soul has winged its way to 
the realms above. Mr. Walker was a short, well-set man, 
walked erect, and was possessed of great firmness, energy, and 
perseverance; his complexion was sallow, and his countenance 
gave unerring evidence that he was a sound and profound 
thinker; his eyes were blue, small, and piercing. He was not a 
profound scholar, but he studied human nature and the Script- 
ures until he was enabled to propagate the gospel with more 
success in a new country than nine-tenths of the college-edu- 
cated gentry of the present day. Preaching, at this day, is con- 
ducted more by art and science than it was in former days. Mr. 
Walker wore the plain, unpretending garb of a pioneer Method- 
ist-preacher. His hat was generally very large, to protect him 
from the sun and rain, and his coat was fashioned after the 
ancient and honorable Methodist mode, known then as the 
'^straight coats." The intelligent public consider Jesse Walker 
one of the most efficient and useful pioneer-preachers that ever 
labored in the West. 

Another great and substantial luminary appeared, as a pio- 
neer-preacher in the Methodist Church of Illinois, in the person 
of the Rev. Peter Cartwright, of Sangamon County. Nature 
had bestowed on this distinguished individual many of her most 
choice gifts, and made him a conspicuous and great man. He 
was born in Amherst County, Virginia, September, 1785; and 
emigrated with his father, at the close of the Revolution, to 
Kentucky. His father, also named Peter Cartwright, had 
served all through the Revolutionary War, and ended his days 
in the western part of Kentucky, In 1804, Mr. Cartwright was 



122 MY OWN TIMES. 

received as a preacher by the "Western Annual Conference." 
He was continued a travelling circuit-rider for twenty years 
through the States of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ala- 
bama, and, in 1824, he settled in Sangamon County, Illinois. 
At the time he located in Illinois, north of his residence was a 
wilderness country, and for many years he rode the circuit 
through a savage wilderness, from settlement to settlement. 
Mr. Cartwright continued in his itinerant labors for eight years 
in succession, and travelled and preached as much perhaps as 
any other man ever did in that time. He has been appointed 
to various offices and dignities of honor in the Methodist 
Church, the duties of which he has performed with credit to 
himself and advantage to the church. He has also represented 
the large and respectable county of Sangamon in the General 
Assembly for many sessions, one of which I acted with him in 
the Legislature, and I knew him to have been an efficient and 
excellent member. The Methodist Church in Illinois, and 
religion generally, are much indebted to the talents and energy 
of the Rev. Peter Cartwright for its success. He labored in the 
vineyard with such talents, activity, and perseverance, that suc- 
cess always crowned his effiDrts. 

The Methodist societies in his itinerancy were just com- 
menced, and were humble and weak, but the energy and pow- 
erful effi)rts of Mr. Cartwright gave them life and vigor; and at 
this day the Methodist societies, established greatly by his 
labors, are enjoying a prosperity not surpassed by any in the 
State. Mr. Cartwright was raised in moderate pecuniary cir- 
cumstances, in a poor, backwoods' colony of Kentucky, and 
had not the benefits of a liberal education, but barely could 
read and write his native language when he was a young man. 
He possessed a sound, comprehensive mind, that guided him 
safely through all trials and troubles to an eminence and stand- 
ing in society that few equal. Nature also bestowed on him an 
iron will and an energy that always sustained him. His ser- 
mons were solid and sound, forcing conviction on the judgment, 
and making as clear as noonday the distinction between virtue 
and vice, and the lines separating good from bad. He has been 
an exceedingly successful preacher, having converted legions of 
people from the ways of sin to truth. His person is somewhat 
similar to his mind — strong, hardy, and robust. He is yet, in 
his old age, blessed with vigor and energy, and is a living monu- 
ment of a great and eminent patriarch of religion in the West. 

In 18 1 5, there were four Methodist circuits in Illinois — called 
Okau, Massac, Wabash, and Illinois. Illinois and Indiana, west 
of the meridian line at Madison, composed a "District," and the 
Rev. Jesse Walker acted in it as presiding elder. Many other 
eminent divines have labored also with great success in spread- 
ing the gospel in Illinois, until now the Methodist denomination 



MY OWN TIMES. 1 23 

is the most numerous in the State. The Methodist organiza- 
tion is wise and efficient. Each neighborhood, no matter how 
remote and obscure it may be, has a circuit-rider among then: 
suitable to their wants. 

The census of 1850 reports 389 churches — accommodation 
for 176,474 persons in these churches; and the church property 
worth $327,290, belonging to the Methodist denomination in 
IlHnois. 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

The Early Baptist Denomination in Illinois. — Ministers of the Gospel 
in the Baptist Churches. — James Smith, John K. Simpson and Son, 
Josiah Dodge, James Lemen, Sr. and Sons, Joseph Chance and Son, 
John Clark, William Jones, Dr. John M. Peck, Deacon Smith, 
George Wolf. — Baptist Churches. — Baptist Statistics. — William Kin- 
ney. — Linley in Sangamon County. 

In the first settlement of Illinois, by the Americans as well 
as by the French, Christianity was planted almost co-equal with 
the colonies themselves. In the year 1787, the Rev. James 
Smith, of Lincoln County, Kentucky, visited Illinois, and 
preached to the inhabitants of the New Design, and many were 
converted by his efforts. The Rev. John K. Simpson was an 
eminent divine, and his son, the Rev. Gideon Simpson, is also a 
preacher and worthy member of society. In 1787, the Rev. Mr. 
Smith returned again, and many more were deeply affected by 
his sermons. He was taken prisoner by the Indians, but was 
rescued. Elder Smith returned to Illinois from Kentucky, the 
third time, and preached the gospel to the people with good 
effect. 

In 1784, the Rev. Josiah Dodge, the uncle of Senator Dodge, 
of Wisconsin, came to Illinois, from his residence in Kentucky, 
and preached to the people. The Rev. James Lemen and 
others were baptized, and professed religion. In 1796. Rev. 
David Badgley visited the country from Hardy County, Vir- 
ginia, and preached incessantly to the people for a short period. 
Fifteen were converted, and Elder Badgley, together with the 
Rev. Joseph Chance, organized the first Baptist Church in Illi- 
nois. Elder Badgley removed to the country, after visiting 
Virginia, and was a conspicuous light in the church. The lay- 
elder, Joseph Chance, arrived in the country in 1794, and 
remained in it during life, preaching the gospel until the year 
1840, when he died. 

"Father John Clark," as he was sometimes called, an eminent 
divine at that day, immigrated to Illinois in the }'ear 1797, and 
was a conspicuous and efficient character in the pulpit and in the 
schools. He taught many of the rising generation of that day 



124 MY OWN TIMES. 

' the general principles of education, and also performed invalua- 
ble services in preaching the gospel in Illinois, as well as in 
Upper Louisiana. Dr. John M. Peck, of Illinois, has written 
an excellent biography of "Father Clark," which has added 
much to the reputation of the author as well as to advance the 
cause of religion. The Rev. James Lemen, Sr., immigrated 
from Western Virginia, and settled in Illinois In the year 1786, 
and after some short time became a preacher of the gospel. 
He was a distinguished and conspicuous character in Illinois, as 
a clergyman and a citizen, for a long series of years. 

In 1805, the Rev. Messrs. Chance and Ratcliff made a stand 
for their meetings at my father's residence in Randolph County, 
where I heard them preach on many occasions, but at that day, 
and for many years thereafter, there was not an organized 
church in the county, except the Roman Catholic. 

The Rev. Mr. Lindley, a Baptist preacher, took his stand, in 
early times, under the shade of the trees on Lick Creek, Sanga- 
mon County, and was preaching to a large congregation. In 
sight of his pulpit, he had constructed a wolf-pen, to capture 
the wolves, if any of those animals came within its toils. A 
wolf-pen is a cunning contrivance, made in early times, by 
which wolves were entrapped and caught. It must be recol- 
lected that wolves, at the first settlement of the country, were a 
great scourge on the stock of the farmers, and this was one 
mode to destroy them. A pen is a pit-hole dug in the ground, 
and a trap-door arranged over it, so that when a wolf stands on 
the door, his weight springs certain triggers, and the animal falls 
into the hole dug in the earth. When the wolf is in the pit, the 
trap or pen is down, and may be seen for some distance. Mr. 
Lindley called on his congregation, with that singular cant and 
kind of long- accented, drawling, sing-song voice, which many 
of the preachers assumed in pioneer-times, "to mind the text, 
brethren — the wolf-pen is down — I must kill the wolf — when I 
come back, put me on the text and I will preach out the 
sermon." At another meeting, it was said that a preacher shot 
a wolf from his pulpit. 

The Rev. William Jones arrived in St. Clair County, Illinois, 
Wood River Settlement, in 1806, and preached the gospel for 
many years. He was a worthy and excellent man, and held 
■*many civil offices. 

Several Baptist churches were organized in early times in Illi- 
nois. The most ancient was that of the New Design, and 
almost coeval with it, was one established in the American 
Bottom, west of Waterloo. About the same time in 1807, 
several Baptist churches were formed. Okc east of Silver 
Creek, not far above the mouth; one on the Ouentine Creek; 
one on Wood River, in the present county of Madison; and one 
in the Badgley Settlement, a few miles north-east of Belleville. 



MY OWN TIMES. 12$ 

\I1 these churches were organized in St. Clair County, and 
lourished for many*years. 

It is a remarkable fact, that most of the large family of the 
;elebrated pioneer and patriarch, the Rev. James Lemen, are 
nembers of the Baptist Church, and^ Joseph, James, Moses, 
fosiah, and perhaps some more, are respectable preachers of the 
fospel. Also, David Robinson Chance, the son of the Rev. 
foseph Chance, is a preacher of the gospel, and a worthy and 
:xcellent character. 

Dr. John M. Peck, a descendant of the New-England Pil- 
grims, and a native of Connecticut, immigrated to the West in 
he year 1817, and has been, from that time to the present, a 
ihining light in the Baptist Church, as well as a conspicuous 
uid distinguished character in the literary community. Dr. 
:^eck located in St. Clair County in the year 182 1, and has ex- 
ended his clerical and literary labors, with great efficiency, all 
)ver the West from that time to the present. Nature bestowed 
)n her favorite son, Dr. Peck, a strong and comprehensive mind, 
ind great energy and perseverance. His mind possesses that 
itrength, activity, and compass which enables him to triumph 
)ver almost every difficulty. His person is formed on the New- 
ingland model, large, athletic, and robust, made for utility as 
veil as for a manly and majestic bearing. With these rare and 
listinguished traits of character, Dr. Peck was placed in a new 
state, where the character of the country was at the time 
brming itself for weal or woe, and had the opportunity, which 
le admirably improved, to do much good in the proper forma- 
ion of the character of the people. As he progressed in his 
jood offices, he labored assiduously in the temples of science 
ind literature, until he is at this day one of the most-learned 
nen in the State, and perhaps the first. With all these rare 
[ualities combined in a single individual, he became an efficient 
md useful character in his sphere, and has exerted his utmost 
ibilities to promote the best interest of the country. His ser- 
nons were always replete with sound, logical argument, irre- 
utable and powerful on his congregation. His exertions to 
)rcvent the introduction of slavery into the State in 1824, were 
:fficient, and with others, successful. 

The Sunday schools found, in the hands of Dr. Peck, their 
nost efficient and powerful friend in Illinois. In the distribu- 
ion of the bible, both in Missouri and Illinois, Dr. Peck has 
abored incessantly, and has performed valuable service in this 
lepartment as well as in many others. Temperance has had, 
rom his pen and discourse, an able and efficient advocate. 
\nd literature and science have been much advanced in Illinois 
)y his talented and efficient labors. He established a seminary 
)f learning at Rock Spring, St. Clair County, which shown out 
:onspicuous and efficient for many years. At last it was 



126 MY OWN TIMES. 

removed to Alton, and assumed the name of the Shurtliff Col- 
lege. As an author and literary man, Dr. "feck's character will 
be handed down to posterity with much fame and reputation. 
His writings, which are numerous, show great research, depth of 
judgment, and utility, and have done much good to the public. 
And to close this hasty sketch of the character of Dr. Peck, it 
may be said in truth, that he has as much, and perhaps more, 
than any other man in the State, made that lasting and solid 
impression of morality, religion, and order on the people of the 
State that Illinois so eminently enjoys at this day. He is now 
in health enjoying the fruit of a long and well-spent life, and is 
writing a large work, known as the "Moral Progress of the 
Valley of the Mississippi." 

The Rev. William Kinney became a church-member, and 
preached for many years. He was a man of great mind and 
much energy, who figured in Illinois in various conspicuous and 
distinguished situations. 

The Rev. Deacon Smith immigrated from Maine to Illinois in 
1818, and settled in St. Clair County, He preached for many 
years. 

In early times, a church was organized in Union County, 
composed mostly of Dunkards and Universalians, and at the 
head of which was a great and powerful natural man, the Rev. 
George Wolff. Mr. Wolff was gifted by nature with a strong 
mind, and although he had not received a liberal education in 
his youth, yet he became a wise and efficient clergyman in his 
maturer years. I have heard him preach, and his strong, com- 
mon-sense sermons, founded on the Scriptures, sustaining his 
peculiar doctrine, were powerful, and seemed to me to be irre- 
futable. He is now an aged and living monument of worth, 
enjoying the prosperity of our common country, for which he 
labored much. 

An association of the Baptist churches was formed in 1807, 
containing five churches. The New Design, Mississippi Bottom, 
Richland, Wood River, and Silver Creek. There were three 
ordained preachers and sixty-two members in these churches. 
In 1809, six preachers were ordained, and in all four hundred 
communicants in Missouri and Illinois. The Baptist churches 
grew in proportion to other religious congregations, and the 
population of the country, until at this day they are established 
in almost every section of the country, and are the second 
religious denomination in the State. The census of 1850 states 
that the Baptist churches number 265 — accommodate 91,620 
persons, and property they own is $204,095. 



MY OWN TIMES. 12/ 



CHAPTER XL. 

The Early Presbyterian Churches in Ilhnois. — The Rev. Samuel Wylie. 
— His Church Refused to Vote. — Presbyterian Church in Bond 
County. — One at Galena. — The Rev. Mr. Kent. — Cumberland Pres- 
byterians in White County. — Presbyterian Statistics. 

In the summer of 1817, thirty-eight years ag-o, a delicate, 
slender lad, a descendant of the ancient Celtic race, just from 
the theological seminary, wended his way on horsback from 
Vincennes across the State of Illinois to St. Louis, and there 
remained a stranger in a strange land for sometime. This 
youth had been educated in Philadelphia, and had travelled to 
the West to propagate the gospel in a new country. After 
making inquiry, he found a few families in Randolph County, 
Illinois, whose religious persuasions were of the Presbyterian 
order, and accorded substantially with his own. Here in this 
neighborhood, on the east side of the Kaskaskia River, he 
gathered together a flock, and preached to them. This small 
society had been settled in Illinois for twelve years or more, 
and had only two clergymen to visit them before the arrival of 
the young stranger. This energetic and fearless youth remained 
in the same settlement ever since, and has at this day, by his 
merit, acquired a distinguished character and reputation as a 
divine and scholar, and is known all over the State as the 
Reverend Samuel Wylie, of Randolph County. Mr. Wylie is 
the first Presbyterian clergyman who settled permanently in 
Illinois. This gentleman was at the head of a seminary of 
learning in Randolph County, as well as attending to his cleri- 
cal duties, and has moved on with the country to character and 
respectability. In a few years after Mr. Wylie had planted his 
standard of religion in the new settlements of Randolph County, 
members of his church, known as "Covenanters," flocked to him 
from various parts of the Union, until he soon had a large con- 
gregation. The society has increased and prospered, until at 
this day they are quite numerous. At the formation of the 
State Constitution in 18 18, they urged on the convention to 
recognize the holy scriptures in the constitution as "the word 
of God;" and because it was not affirmed, the members of the 
church declined to serve on a jury, or to vote, for many years 
— yet they would defend the country by bearing arms, paying 
taxes, and the like. Some years since, Mr. Wylie and a section 
of the society decided to vote and serve on the juries, which 
caused a schism in the church that continues to this day. This 
denomination is generally very decided against negro slavery, 
which frequently regulates their votes at the ballot-box. 

The next Presbyterian Church established was in Greenville, 



1^8 MY OWN TIMES. 

Bond County, in the year 1821, or thereabouts. This society 
has existed ever since, and is at this day a happy and pros- 
perous community. 

In 1829, the Rev. Mr. Kent established a small society of 
Presbyterians at Galena, Illinois, who also have prospered and 
done well. 

In 18 16, or thereabouts, in the county of White, was estab- 
lished a large congregation of Cumberland Presbyterians, which 
exists and flourishes there to this day. 

As the country progressed, these religious societies also 
advanced, until at this time the Presbyterian denomination is 
numerous in many sections of this State, and can number, as 
reported by the census of 1850, 198 churches; accommodation 
in churches for 81,529 persons, and property worth $395,130. 

At this day, in Illinois, almost all the religions of the earth 
exist, and are as liberal toward each other as is generally prac- 
tised in any section of the Union. The census of 1850 report 
in all 1 167 churches in the State, having an accommodation for 
636,478 persons, and property valued at $1,476,385. 



CHAPTER XLL 

Professional Men in Illinois Territory. — Lawyers and Physicians. 

During the territorial government, many distinguished and 
intelligent professional characters settled in Illinois. 

The Hon. John Rice Jones located in Kaskaskia as early as 
1789, and remained in the West during his life. He was a 
distinguished lawyer and judge, and sustained his professional, 
official, and private character and standing, as a gentleman and 
scholar, during his long and eventful life in the Valley of the 
Mississippi. 

Isaac Darneille, Esq., was the next lawyer; he located in 
Cahokia in the year 1796, and attended to land speculation and 
gallantry. He practised as much gallantry as law. He was 
also a man of excellent talents, but he made such leeway in the 
voyage of life that he run afoul of some of the precepts of the 
commandments. 

James Haggin, Esq., settled in Kaskaskia about the year 
1804, and resided in the vicinity. He returned to Kentucky 
and became a conspicuous judge in the State. 

About this time, two very talented and efficient young law- 
yers, Nathaniel Pope and John Scott, although residing in Mis- 
souri, made their appearance generally in the courts of Illinois. 
These two young gentlemen were the choice fruits of nature, 
possessing great strength of intellect and much energy. They 
rose fast in the profession, and stood deservedly at the head ot 



MY OWN TIMES. I29 

the bar in their day in Missouri and lUinois. Mr. Pope was 
appointed a judge of the United States Court, and died a few 
years since, wliile the other, the Hon. John Scott, remains in 
the full enjoyment of his intellectual vigor and health to this 
day, and is one of the most ancient and respectable patriarchs 
of the law that lives at this time in either of the States of 
Missouri or Illinois. 

About the same time, and some years after, Edward Hemp- 
stead, Rufus Easton, Robert Wash, and David Barton, Esquires, 
residents of St. Louis, Missouri, practised in the courts of 
Illinois. 

In 1804, Benjamin H. Doyle and John Rector, Esquires, 
located in Kaskaskia, and practised law. 

In 1808, William Mears, Esq., arrived in Cahokia, and prac- 
tised the profession in Illinois during his life. 

The Hon. Elias K. Kane commenced the practice of the law 
in Kaskaskia in the year 18 14, and greatly distinguished him- 
self as a lawyer and statesman. Not long after, the Hon. 
^^^^P^niel P. Cook also commenced the practice of law in Kaskas- 
kia, and also became a distinguished and conspicuous character 
on the public stage. Charles Dunn, Esq., also became a dis- 
tinguished character and" judge in Wisconsin. Many eminent 
and talented lawyers, from St. Louis, practised in Illinois — 
Messrs. Thomas H. Benton, David and Joshua Barton, Mr. 
McGurk, Mr. Lucas, and others. 

About this time, Hon. John McLean located in Shawneetown. 
This gentleman became a distinguished lawyer and statesman, 
and died while he was in the Senate of the United States. 

James Hall and Henry Eddy commenced their professional 
career in Shawneetown. Both of these gentlemen soon became, 
by their talents and merit, disfmguished and conspicuous char- 
acters. Mr. Eddy was the editor, also, of an excellent paper, 
while Mr. Hall was afterwards elected judge of the .Circuit 
Court, and State treasurer. He turned his attention more to 
science and literature than to the law, and is at this time a 
prominent literary character of the city of Cincinnati. Also 
appeared as lawyers: A. P. Field, R. K. McLaudilin, P. H, 
Winchester, Thomas Reynolds, Thomas C. Browne, A. F. Hub- 
bard, James W. Whitney, Charles S. Hempstead, Ralph P. 
Day, my humble self, and perhaps some others, were practising 
attorneys in the Territory of Illinois. 

The Hon. John J. Crittenden was appointed attorney-general 
of the territory, but did not remain long in the country. 

It will be seen by a reference to the history of the members 
of the bar in territorial times, that many of the bar in after-life 
obtained high and respectable standing and characters as states- 
men, judges, and civilians — in fact, I believe that the bar of 
Illinois, at that day, possessed more talented lawyers, to the 

9 



I30 MY OWN TIMES. 

number, than ever practised in the courts of the State after- 
ward. 

Although the country in early times was much more sickly 
than at present, yet not so many physicians resided in the coun- 
try as lawyers. 

In 1797, when so many of the emigrants died at the New 
Design, an obscure doctor, Wallace, practised his profession. 

In early times, a Dr. Lyle resided and practised in Cahokia. 

Dr. George Fisher was the most eminent physician in the 
country in his early days. He settled in Kaskaskia in the year 
1798, and possessed good talents. His practice was bold and 
fearless, and he succeeded well. The first medicine I ever took 
was from this physician, in the year 1801. 

In East Tennessee, where we previously resided, we knew not 
much about either sickness or medicine. Dr. Fisher gave me a 
dose of tartar emetic for my father in 1800, and on my way 
home I thought the doctor had omitted to put the medicine in 
the paper, as I could not feel it. I opened the paper and saw a 
small amount of white powder in it. I thought that extremely 
small quantity could not answer the purpose, but I was soon 
convinced to the contrary on seeing my father so sick under its 
operation. At that day, it was the uniform and universal prac- 
tice to give the patient of the bilious disease first a vomit of 
tartar emetic, next day, calomel and jallop, and the third day, 
the Peruvian bark. This course generally cured common cases 
of the bilious fever. 

In 1803, Dr. Tuttle came to Kaskaskia, as surgeon with the 
troops; he was a good physician, and practised a long time in 
the country. 

Dr. WJlliam L. Reynolds, from Kentucky, located in Kaskas-' 
kia in 1809, and became a conspicuous and eminent member of 
his profession. He was a man of a high order of talent, and 
was a well-educated and accomplished scholar. He was, in his 
day, the Hercules of his profession. 

In 1802, Dr. Caldwell came to Illinois, and practised medicine 
for many years. 

Dr. James Rose, from Kentucky, settled in Illinois in the 
year 1805, and remained in the country, a physician, during 
his life. 

In 1 8 16 and 18 17, Doctors Todd and Bowers located in 
Edwardsville, and were, both of them, eminent and distin- 
guished physicians. Dr. Todd possessed the advantages of a 
finished classic education, and had studied his profession in 
Philadelphia, with much honor and character to himself. These 
advantages, added to a strong mind, made him a distinguished 
and successful practitioner. He is yet alive in Springfield, 
enjoying a high standing in his profession, as well as a con- 
spicuous character in society. 



MY OWN TIMES. 131 

Dr. William G. Goforth located in Illinois in the year 1815, 
and practised his profession, during his lifetime, in the State. 
He was an exceedingly eccentric character, and at times intem- 
perate — yet his practice was generally successful. He was bold 
and fearless in his practice. 

Dr. Chips practised medicine in Pope County, in territorial 
times, and was a good physician. 

Dr. Longworthy located at Alton in early times. 

Dr. Tiffin located in Illinois in 18 15, and attained a very con- 
ispicuous position. He always enjoyed a remarkably large 
practice, and was an excellent physician. 

The ministers of the gospel have been mentioned in another 
part of this work. 



CHAPTER XLII. 
The Domestic Relations of the Author. 

During all my previous life until within a short time before I 
married, I had not the least intention of that state of existence, 
and I expressed myself often to my friends to the same effect — 
but on the subject of matrimony, a passion influences the par- 
ties which generally succeeds. By mere accident I became 
acquainted with a widow lady, a French Creole, a native of 
Cahokia, and from sincere affection on both sides, we married in 
the spring of 18 17. Pure feelings of attachment, without any 
dross of wealth or "worldly gear," with either party, caused us 
to unite, and under these circumstances we lived together happy 
and contented. My wife had been from her infancy raised, and 
continued to be, a strict Roman Catholic, and we were married 
by a priest of a that denomination. I consider all the various 
religious denominations substantially the same in principle, and 
almost the same in practice — so that my wife exercised her 
religion just as she did before the marriage. I sustained the 
church expense as if we had both been members of it. 

We resided many years in a French community, and spoke 
that language in our domestic intercourse for sixteen or eigh- 
teen years. I became so much accustomed to the French lan- 
guage, around the fireside, that I preferred it to the English, 
That language is better adapted to family colloquial interchange 
of ideas and feelings than the English, but the latter is stronger 
rougher, and better suited to rough business subjects than the 
other. 

In the fall of 1834, my wife died, in Belleville, which was the 
severest shock I ever experienced. No tongue or pen can 
portray the grief of a husband losing the partner of his heart — 
no one can "feel another's woe." I thought I never would sur- 
mount it, but nature has ordered time to soothe the wound 



132 MY OWN TIMES. 

and heal it over. If it were not for this friend, mankind would 
be always miserable. We had no offspring. 

It is said that "marriages are made in Heaven;" but I think 
it is an earthly transaction, yet an important one. If persons 
make too much calculation in matrimony, like buying a farm, 
and have no love or affection in it, such marriages generally 
turn out bad. On the other hand, if they are blind love-matches, 
"runaway matches," without any foresight, they are not apt to 
produce happiness. Ardent love and affection, together with 
judgment and prudence, should be mixed in the transaction, to 
secure a lasting and happy union. 



CHAPTER XLIII. 

Slavery Existed in Illinois before 1787. — The Ordinance of that year 
Prevented it. — Indentured Servants. — The State Constitution Pro- 
hibits Slavery in the State. 

It is well known that the first introduction of slavery into 
Illinois was by Philip Francis Renault, in the year 1720. On 
his passage from Europe to America he procured from San 
Domingo five hundred slaves to work the mines in Illinois, and 
these negroes are the ancestors of the French slaves in this 
State. The descendants of those slaves, who reside in Illinois, 
are now free, and are located mostly in and around Prairie du 
Rocher, in Randolph County. 

When Virginia conquered the country, and the same was an- 
nexed to that State, the right of property to their slaves was 
guaranteed to the inhabitants, as well as their other property. 

In the act of cession of the country from Virginia to the Gen- 
eral Government, the right of property, slaves among the rest, 
was secured to the inhabitants of Illinois. 

The act of Congress known as the "Ordinance," which was 
passed in the year 1787, and by which the North-Western Terri- 
tory was organized as a government, prohibited, positively, the 
introductioif of slavery into the Territory, and Illinois, at that 
time, formed a part of the Territory. 

This Ordinance was construed to operate prospectively, and 
not to operate on the French slaves in the Territory at the time. 

This act of Congress was the great sheet-anchor that secured 
the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois from slavery. I never 
had any doubt but slavery would now exist in Illinois if it had 
not been prevented by this famous Ordinance. 

Soon after the organization of the Indiana Territory, of which 
Illinois formed a part, laws were enacted by the Territorial 
legislature permitting slaves to be introduced as "Indentured 
Servants;" and under this law many were admitted into the 
Territory. 



MY OWN TIMES. • I33 

The owner might go with his slaves before the clerk of the 
court of common pleas, and makq an agreement Math his ne- 
groes to serve the master a certain number of years, and then 
become free. The children were to serve their masters — the 
males until they were thirty-five years old, and the females to 
thirty-two years. This agreement was to be done within thirty 
days after the slave entered the Territory, and if the slaves 
would not consent to the agreement, they might be removed 
out of the Territory within sixty days. This agreement was 
made a record binding on the parties. 

Although this proceeding was intended by the legislature to 
introduce a species of slavery, yet I knew many slaves and their 
families who were manumitted by the operation, and are now 
free. This act of the legislature operated as a kind of gradual 
emancipation of slavery in the Territory. 

Both constitutions of the State expressely prohibited the in- 
troduction of slavery, the first had no intention to manumit the 
French slaves, but the supreme court of the State, in 1845, de- 
cided that slavery, French or any other, could not exist in the 
State. This decision liberated all the French slaves in the 
country. 

Public opinion, being strong in this State against slavery, 
reached the bench, as well as it does every other department of 
the government, and what was right twenty years before was 
wrong in 1845, ^^ relation to slavery. 

In 18 10, one hundred and sixty-eight slaves are said to have 
been in the Territory. In 1820, they increased to nine hundred 
and seventeen; and in 1830, they decreased to seven hundred 
and forty-six. 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

Organization of the State Government in 1818, and Election of the 
Officers. 

The act of Congress authorizing the formation of a State 
government in the Territory of Illinois required forty thousand 
inhabitants to reside in the Territory before a constitution could 
be established, but the census returned a few more. 

The members of the convention were elected in the summer 
of 1818, and the same year, the convention met at Kaskaskia. 
No question was agitated in the election of the members, except 
slavery, in some sections of the Territory. 

At that day, and before, in the Territory there existed not the 
slightest spark of party politics as to measures. The parties of 
Federal and Republican, as they had and did exist in the Union 
to some extent, did not at this day, nor before, appear in Illinois 



134 JIY OWN TIMES. 

among the people. All were Republicans, sustaining the re- 
publican administration of the General Government and the war. 

Nevertheless, two parties did exist at the time, and before, in 
the Territory, and were founded on the qualifications of men for 
office, and on the "ins and outs" of power and place. As many- 
bitter feelings and rancorous personal contests were indulged 
in under these parties, as were ever after, when parties were 
organized on Whig and Democratic principles. 

Messrs. Edwards, Pope, Cook, Gen. White, Judge Brown, and 
others, formed one party, and Messrs. Bond, Thomas, Michael 
Jones, Kane, McLean, and others, were leaders of the other 
party. A great portion of the country, more or less, was divided 
between these two parties, and no other existed among the 
people. I was not attached at the time to either party and did 
not pretend to aid or assist either as a party. 

At these times, I had not the most distant idea of office, and 
I sincerely detested party -jugglery. I did not attend at all the 
convention at Kaskaskia, and had no "itching palm" for office. 

Judge Thomas and Governor Edwards were both looking out 
for the Senate of the United States, and were opposed to each 
other. * 

Governor Edwards had the aged and sedate leaders of the 
people friendly to him, but Judge Thomas had the young, 
ardent, and energetic men, supporting him, who were mixing 
every day with the people. Judge Thomas succeeded. I dis- 
covered that a union of energetic young men can beat the old 
party- leaders. I acted in the election for mere amusement, 
and did not know or care, whether I had popularity or not, 
except on this particular occasion I invoked it. Judge Thomas 
was also elected president of the convention. This body was 
composed of members of good sense and becoming qualifica- 
tions. Elias K. Kane, Esq., was a member, and was an accom- 
plished scholar and eminent lawyer — he also possessed good 
talents and was the leader in the convention. 

The first constitution was a wise and excellent compact of 
government, with one or two exceptions. The judges of the 
supreme court were formed into a council of revision, which 
was found, on experience, to be unwise, and the qualification of 
electors was defective. 

The constitution was signed and established on the 26th of 
August, 18 1 8, and an election for members of the General 
Assembly was ordered to take place on the third Thursday, 
and the two succeeding days, of September, 18 18. 

The members were elected — forty-two in all — fourteen sena- 
tors and twenty-eight representatives, who assembled at Kas- 
kaskia on the first Monday of October, in the same year. Shad- 
rach Bond was elected governor, and Pierre Menard, lieuten- 
ant-governor, at the same time. Both these officers possessed 



* MY OWN TIMES. 135 

sound judgment and excellent characters. They performed the 
duties of their offices, respectively, to the satisfaction of the 
people. 

At the first session of the General Assembly, Ninian Edwards 
and Jesse B. Thomas were elected United States senators. 
John McLean had been elected representative to Congress at 
the previous election in August. 

The constitution established the judiciary of the State, and 
had created a supreme court and circuit courts, to be composed 
of the same judges, four in number. This organization was to 
continue until the next legislature that would sit after the year 
1824. 

The justices of the supreme court of the State were elected 
by the General Assembly; and Joseph Philips was elected a 
chief-justice, and Thomas C. Browne, William P. Foster, and 
myself, as associate -justices. 

At the time of the session of the first legislature I resided in 
Cahokia, and had not the least intention to visit the seat of 
Government at all. I cared very little who was elected to any 
office — one thing was certain, I courted nothing myself My 
friends urged me to visit, with them, tMe General Assembly in 
session at Kaskaskia, and I did so. When we reached the 
legislature, there was great excitement and turmoil in relation 
to the election of officers by the General Assembly. I had not 
been in Kaskaskia only a few days when it was urged on me to 
know if I would accept of a judgeship, if I was elected. This 
broke in on me like a clap of thunder. I was in truth per- 
suaded to become a candidate for the office. I had a great 
many personal friends both in and out of the legislature who^ 
urged me much to consent to offer. The material for the bench 
was not as good as it might be. Human nature is easier per- 
suaded to mount upward than to remain on the common level. 
I was elected a justice of the supreme court, which entirely 
changed my life, as will be seen hereafter. 

All the officers were elected, and the Legislature adjourned to 
meet on the proclamation of the Governor, when the State was 
admitted into the Union. Thus was the State government of 
Illinois established, and launched into existence, in the hands ot 
common-sense men, and sound and honest patriots. 



136 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XLV. 

The First Session of the General Assembly Revised the Statute Laws^ 
and Adapted them to the State Government. — The Canal. — Organi- 
zation of the Judicial Circuits. 

The State of Illinois was admitted into the Union in Decem- 
ber, 18 18, and the Governor convened the General Assembly at 
Kaskaskia soon thereafter. 

Being not many speech-makers in the legislature, and being a 
small body, much business was done during this first session. 
The whole statutory code of laws was revised, reenacted, and 
printed in a volume. The members worked day and night, and 
procured the assistance of able and learned" men to aid them in 
remodeling the old statutes. Mr. Kane, who had been ap- 
pointed Secretary of State, was present, and rendered valuable 
services on this important subject. The judges of the supreme 
court by the constituticm were required to attend the sessions of 
the legislature, being, in fact, a component part of that body, 
were also present, and assisted all in their power in this work. 

I had an intimate acquaintance with the statute laws, and 
found them scattered through many years, and in many de- 
tached and separate books, so that it was with much difficulty 
and research that any one knew what were the laws in force;, 
they were also often contradictory and conflicting. I had be- 
come friendly and intimate with the members of the General 
A^ssembly, and urged on them the propriety and necessity of a 
revision of all the statutes of the Territory, and to repeal all 
laws not found in the revised code. Many good men con- 
sidered the revision too great a task, during the session of the 
legislature — but labor then, to me, was the best amusement. 
The General Assembly agreed to it, and accomplished the work 
with honor and credit to themselves, and benefit and ad- 
vantage to the public. 

Governor Bond drew the attention of the legislature to the 
subject of the canal connecting the waters of the Illinois River 
with the lakes, and I drafted a bill providing for an examina- 
tion of the country over which the canal was to be constructed, 
and to report to the next General Assembly. 

I had not the least knowledge of the rocks in the route, as 
I had heard the French boatmen often say that they had fre- 
quently crossed over the route in their boats in high water. 
Under this view, I supposed a canal would not cost much. But 
the legislature considered that the country was too new, in 
1 8 19, and the expense would be too great — they accordingly did 
not pass the bill, but they considered, as every intelligent man 



MY OWN TIMES. 137 

has since, that this canal is one of the greatest improvements in 
the United States. 

The legislature organized the judiciary of the State, and 
placed the judges on the circuit. 

The counties of Clark, Jefferson, Wayne, and Alexander were 
created this session, and added to the respective judicial circuits. 

I presided in the counties of St. Clair, Madison, Washington, 
Monroe, and Bond — being one more than my number. Judge 
Philips in the counties of Randolph, Jackson, Union, and Alex- 
ander. Judge Brown in the counties of Gallatin, Pope, Johnson, 
Jefferson, and P'ranklin. Judge Foster in White, Edwards, 
Crawford, Clark, and Wayne. The last-named gentleman re- 
signed before he held court, and William Wilson was appointed 
to fill the vacancy. 

About the last act the legislature passed at Kaskaskia, in 
18 19, was the law removing the seat of government to Vandalia. 
Congress had granted to the State four sections of land for the 
seat of government, and on part is located Vandalia, the present 
county seat of Fayette County. The seat of government re- 
mained here until it was removed to Springfield, in 1840. 

By this organization, un^der the new constitution, the State of 
Illinois commenced that extraordinary career of prosperity that 
has marked her course ever since. 



CHAPTER XLVI. 

The Judiciary of the State. — Opening Court. — Members of the Bar. 

An enlightened and able judiciary is an important depart-l 
ment of the government. Much of the happiness, peace, and 
quiet of the people depends on the proper administration of the 
laws. The speedy, efficient, and certain punishment of crime is 
an essential in a government to preserve the peace and happi- 
ness of the people. 

It is the great element, the prompt and able administration 
of the law in Great Britain, that has sustained that kingdom 
for so many ages in her proud judicial character. I believe there 
is no government on the globe where the laws are better exe- 
cuted than in Great Britain. 

A judge should be aged, learned, experienced in the science 
of the law. He should also have a high standing and character, 
in order that his decisions may be respected. Judge Blackstone 
says the truth — that the decision of a judge should be popular, 
next after doing justice. 

The judges of the supreme court of Illinois, in 18 18, were all 
young men, and had not that long practise at the bar that was 
necessary to give standing and character to their decisions; but 



138 MY OWN TIMES. 

the law was administered at that day with less form and cere- 
mony, yet with as much equity and justice as at the present 
time. 

The judges had laborious duties to perform to hold both the 
circuit and the supreme courts througout the whole State. 

The first court I held was in the spring of 18 19, in Covington, 
Washington County, and it was to me a strange and novel 
business. I commenced my official duties among my old 
comrades with whom I had been raised — ranged in the war with 
them, and lived with them in great intimacy and equality, so 
that it was difficult in my situation, to assume a different re- 
lationship than I had previously occupied with them. And, 
moreover, I utterly detested a kind of mock dignity, that some- 
times is asumed. Both the sheriff and clerk of the court of 
Washington County were rangers in the same company with 
myself, and it seemed we were still in the United States service, 
ranging on equal terms in pursuit of the Indians. And it ap- 
pears that the sheriff, Bowling Green, entertainied the same 
opinion ; as he opened the court in a very familiar manner. 
When he was sitting astride on a bench in the court-house, and 
proclaimed without rising, that "the court is now opened, John 
is on the bench." This my familiar name in the war. 

Not long after, in Union County, the deputy-sheriff opened 
the court, (myself presiding,) by saying: Oh, yes! three times, 
and then in a solemn manner proclaimed: "the Honorable 
Judge is now opened. He mistook the judge for the court. 
This mistake created much merriment, when the occasion should 
have been serious. I knew that a solemn, serious dignity and 
•decorum were necessary and proper in the proceedings of courts, 
cbut in my case, and the officers generally, it was almost impos- 
sible to assume that character. 

When the State Government was organized, a great many 
memBers of the bar immigrated to Illinois, who possessed great 
and distinguished talents, and many of whom, in after-life, stood 
not only at the head of the profession, but many also became 
conspicuous and celebrated public characters. 



CHAPTER XLVII. 

Trials of Murder in the Courts wherein I Presided. — Short and Fike. — 
William Bennett. — Eliphalet Green. — An Indian in Pike County. — 
Bottsford at Vandalia. 

In the Spring of 18 19, a trial for murder was brought up in 
the St. Clair Circuit Court, and the parties were acquitted. This 
homicide arose out of a sham duel fought between William Ben- 
nett and Alonzo C. Stuart. The parties indicted for murder in 



MY OWN TIMES. I39 

this case, were Jacob Short and Nathan Fike. They had been 
the seconds in this pretended duel, and although the people 
condemned the transaction, yet the verdict of acquittal of murder 
was generally approved. This trial produced great excitement 
in the county, and was conducted by able and influential counsel. 
Daniel P. Cook, Esq., was the prosecuting attorney, and Col. 
Thomas H. Benton defended. At the same court, the sheriff 
proceeded to the jail to bring into court William Bennett, one 
of the duelists, for trial, but he broke jail and escaped. He 
remained out of the State for some time, but in 1821, was 
arrested and brought to trial in Belleville, at a special term of 
the Circuit Court. 

In February, 18 19, many citizens of St. Clair County assem- 
bled in the town of Belleville, and enjoyed a wild drunken frolic. 
It was proposed to have a sham duel between Alonzo C. Stuart 
and William Bennett. It was given out to all except Bennett 
that the duel was not real, only a sham, to have sport out of 
Bennett. Nathan Fike and Jacob Short were the seconds, and 
the duel was fought with rifles on the lot now owned by Jacob 
Leifert, situated north of Main street, in Belleville. It was 
understood that the guns should be charged with powder alone, 
but Bennett's rifle had a ball in it, and he shot Stuart in the 
breast, which caused his death immediately. The parties were 
posted forty yards apart, and Stuart did not fire his gun at all. 
It was proved that Bennett secretly put a ball in his gun. He 
was taken in Missouri by finesse, that was not approved of, 
brought to Belleville, tried, condemned, and executed. Mr. 
Stuart was a worthy citizen, and his unfortunate death was 
much regretted. 

Another case of murder occurred in Madison County in 1823, 
that was also e.xceedingly unpleasant for me to preside as Judge 
on the trial. Eliphalet Green had a quarrel with a man near 
the residence of Able Moore, on Wood River, Madison County, 
and shot his antagonist. Green fled to the American Bottom, 
reflected and returned. His conscience waged a terrible war in 
his breast. He sat on a log, then kneeled by it and prayed 
devoutly. He returned deliberately back to the settlement and 
gave himself up to William Ogle. He slept all night alone in 
the house of Ogle, without any confinement. Next day, he and 
Ogle went to Edwardsville, the county seat, and Green surren- 
dered himself to the law, and was confined in jail. 

In the progress of my official duties I was compelled to pro- 
nounce sentence of death on these two unfortunate men. That 
was, to me, the most painful duty I ever performed. I am 
opposed to capital punishment, in any case, when the convicts 
can be kept in solitary confinement without pardoning their 
lives, but as the law was in 1821, when William Bennett was 
executed in Belleville, and Eliphalet Green in Edwardsville, soon 



I40 MY OWN TIMES. 

afterward, there was no alternative but to execute the law as it 
existed. Although the law requires it, the verdict of the jury, 
after an impartial trial, authorizes it, and the prevention of 
crime imperiously demands it; yet it was extremely painful and 
awful to me to be the instrument in the hands of the law to 
pronounce sentence of death on my fellow-man, extinguishing 
him forever as a being from the face of the earth, and depriving 
him of life, which I think belongs to God and not to man. 

In the case of Green, light, silly stories are told, sometimes in 
malice, but more frequently in friendship and merriment, of my 
want of sympathy, gravity, and solemnity in pronouncing the 
sentence of death on this unfortunate man, which are entirely 
untrue. Sometimes these silly fabrications are in violation of 
truth, recorded in history, when the author knew they were only 
amusing jokes, and not intended as the sober truths of history. 

I may not have acted in that frigid, unfeeling, and mechanical 
manner that would please heartless and superficial men who 
generally write and detail these teapot slanders, but no human 
being, of my humble capacity, could have acted with more 
painful feelings and sympathy than I did on this occasion. A 
cold formal address might have been prepared and written 
according to the ndes of art, made for the bystanders in court, 
having in it not a spark of human feeling, which might have 
pleased these fault-finders better than one emanating purely 
from the heart. Many critics, some authors, and fault-finders, 
whose scholastic achievements are generally whipped into them 
at school, without a spark of "nature's fire" to illuminate their 
dreary tracks through life, look back at everything ancient in 
Illinois with ill-nature and contempt. These critics would find 
fault, I suppose, with the impolite and uncourtly manner of the 
unfortunate men when they are writhing on the gallows in the 
agonies of death, that they did not die according to \\\& forms in 
the books. I considered them both guilty, and the judgment of 
the court was so understood that they were both executed. 

Many individuals, who were acquainted with the transaction, 
seem to have doubts that the gun of Stuart was also charged 
with a ball. Some are disposed to believe that the parties, both 
Bennett and Stuart, had by some means their guns loaded with 
powder and ball to do execution on one another, or on both. 
■ Mr. Park, one of the company, fired off the gun in the air, which 
Mr. Stuart had, so that the ball in it would not be discovered. 

This unfortunate affair, wherein a worthy and respectable 
citizen was murdered, took place in the limits of the present city 
of Belleville, which was considered the result of a wild, drunken 
frolic, and it never did assume the character of a regular and hon- 
orable duel. It had, in my opinion, no agency in putting down 
the barbarous and anti-christian practice of dueling in this State, 
but it was the enlightened and christian tone of public opinion 



MY OWN TIMES. I41 

that always banished this blood-thirsty practice of dueling from 
our borders. 

This improved and healthy action of public opinion, and the 
heavy penalties prescribed by the new constitution of the State 
will, I hope, secure the people forever against this murderous 
practice. This carousal, which was so much regretted and con- 
demned by the public, was founded entirely on the immoderate 
use of spirits, and stands out a beacon-light to caution the 
unsuspecting against intemperance. 

Green embraced religion and was baptized by Dr. Peck. He 
made a long confession and died happy, before spectators to the 
number of two thousand or more. Dr. Peck remained on the 
platform with him just previous to his execution, and requested 
him to clasp his hands before him so long as consciousness 
remained with him. He did so, and his hands were clasped 
about forty-five seconds, and then they separated by death. 
How awful and solemn death is in any shape or form ! The 
body of Green was taken out«of the grave by Dr. Phillio, of 
Lebanon, St. Clair County, but the officers and citizens of 
Edwardsville rescued it. The body was afterward buried in the 
garden of Hail Mason, in Edwardsville, where it remains to this 
day. 

A case of homicide was brought before the court held by me 
in Pike County, in 1824, for an Indian killing a Frenchman. A 
poor Indian lived with a Frenchman near the mouth of the 
Illinois River, and they were both out hunting deer with torch- 
light. They were in canoes in the Illinois River, where the deer 
resorted to eat the moss in the river. The Indian seeing the 
torch-light of the Frenchman, mistaking it for the glare of the 
deer's eyes in the night, and without intending to shoot his friend, 
killed the Frenchman, his comrade. The whole French colony 
knew the facts and acquitted the Indian, but the Americans 
disliked the Indians. They took the Indian into custody and 
had him indicted. The attorney -general, Samuel D. Lock- 
wood, prosecuted him and Daniel P. Cook defended him. It 
took several days to try the Indian, and the jury could not agree 
for a long time, many of them being for finding a verdict for 
murder, but at last they would not acquit him, and brought into 
court a verdict for manslaughter. I never witnessed so much 
prejudice. as existed there against the Indians. This unfortu- 
nate Indian considered himself dead, and appeared so on the 
trial. I knew he was not guilty at all, and put the punishment 
nominal, a few hours in confinement, and twenty-five cents fine. 
I was fearful the populace would commit a riot on the unfortu- 
nate Indian. As soon as he was liberated he marched up the 
steep bluff without a track near the place where the court was 
held, and that was the last I saw of him. If the crowd had 
been permitted, the Indian would have been sacrificed to the 
demon of prejudice. 



142 MY OWN TIMES. 

Another case, that of Mr. Bottsford, was tried before me in 
1824 or 1825, for the kiUing of Mr. Kelly. This case occurred in 
Vandalia, and it was tried there. Sidney Breese, Esq., was the 
prosecuting attorney and Edward Bates, Esq., of St. Louis, 
Missouri, defended Bottsford. The trial produced much excite- 
ment, and the gentlemen at the bar, both prosecuting and 
defending, acquitted themselves with much credit for the dis- 
tinguished and extraordinary display of talents brought to bear 
in the case. These two gentlemen in after-life held, and do at 
this day hold, very conspicuous and elevated positions in society. 
Bottsford was acquitted, but the case seemed to be not entirely 
clear of guilt. 

CHAPTER XLVIII. 

Early Banks of Illinois. — Dearth of Money.— Relief. — A State Bank. — 
Stay-laws. — Loan to Wind up the State Bank. 

There is no political maxim truer than that banks in the 
hands of companies to issue paper as a currency at their pleasure 
is a great injury to a people. The legal currency of the Union 
is silver and gold, and was so made by Providence and the con- 
stitution of the United States. It is certain, by experience, 
that whenever paper issues can be made at the pleasure of an 
irresponsible company, the currency is liable to be inflated 
or depressed to suit the advantages of those interested, without 
regard to the public welfare. Banks may facilitate commerce, 
but taking the whole community together, they always have 
done, and always will do more injury than benefit to the people. 
A bank was chartered by the first General Assembly in 1819, 
but it never went into existence. The country was flooded with 
bank paper all over the Union after the close of the war, but 
worthless paper of the Western States went down, and left the 
country almost without any currency towards the years 18 19, 
1820, and 182 1. The pressure reached Illinois in its aggravated 
forms, and property was down to nothing. Cows and calves sold 
for four or five dollars, and wheat at thirty-five and forty cents 
per bushel; corn was, in many places, down to ten cents. The 
people, and the members of the General Assembly who were 
elected in 1820, were enthusiastic for some relief, but what kind 
of amelioration of "hard times" was not considered or known. 

The people had contracted large debts when the money was 
plenty, and now, when it was so scarce, it was almost impossible 
to pay these demands. These considerations urged the people 
and the General Assembly to seek some relief from this impend- 
ing evil. 

In the early part of the winter of 182 1, the legislature con- 
ceived the idea of creating a State Bank, formed wholly for the 



MY OWN TIMES. I45 

time present, ON THE CREDIT OF THE State. This bank was 
to have a capital of a half a million of dollars, and to issue 
in the beginning only three hundred thousand dollars. The 
State, by its directors, was to manage the mother bank and the 
branches, and the whole to remain under the control of the 
General Assembly. Money was to be loaned to no individual 
on personal security in sums above one hundred dollars, and to 
be secured in real estate at two-thirds the value. The notes 
were to draw an interest of six per cent, per annum, and the 
bank to exist for ten years. 

The worst feature yet to be told, was that if a creditor did 
not take this paper for his debt at par the debt could be replevied 
for three years. The paper was made receivable for all taxes, 
State debts, and many others, which the State had the power to 
control. As it has already been stated, the council of revision 
had to pass on all bills and approve or reject them. The bill 
was presented to the council, and three of the five members 
vetoed it, and returned it to the House of Representatives with 
their objections. Governor Bond, Judge Philips, and myself, 
disapproved of the measure, and Judge Wilson and Brown con- 
sented to it. The General Assembly became excited and passed 
the law by a constitutional majority, over the objections of the 
council. This charter became the law of the land, and the bank 
went into operation. The veto-message of the council raised the 
objections to both its constitutional errors and its policy. The 
paper of this bank was floating through the atmosphere of 
Illinois for ten years, as a poisoning and pestilential vapor that 
withered and blighted the country for that length of time. The 
paper never was at par and sunk, at times, down to twenty-five 
cents per dollar. 

At almost every session of the General Assembly, during the 
existence of the bank, either the bank or the bank debtors 
prayed relief, which was a prolific source of legislation. 

The members of the legislatue paid themselves, at times, nine 
dollars per clay, and the other officers of the State were also 
paid is proportion to the depreciation of the paper. 

The "stay-laws" and "stop-laws," as they were called, operated 
a great injury to the people, not only for the non-payment of 
all debts, but they encouraged a kind of disregard for honesty 
and morality, which in all communities is essential to preserve. 
I always opposed all laws that interposed any impediment 
between debtor and creditor. This is a relation — debtor and 
creditor — existing between free men, made by themselves, that 
the laws should hold sacred and inviolable. The law in all well- 
regulated communities should extend its efficient arm to the 
collection of debts. I am opposed to imprisonment for debt, 
but it is dishonest legislation to permit one individual to retain 
the substance of another by law. 



144 MY OWN TIMES. 

The old State Bank lingered out its miserable existence, never 
observing its promises, or meeting the expectations of its friends, 
and was wound up in 183 1. I had been an observer of its inca- 
pacity for the ten years of its existence, and had suffered by its 
muddy water so much, that I was determined to do all in my 
power to wind it up and rid the country of its pollutions. In 
my first message to the General Assembly, dated December 3d, 
1820, I presented the subject as follows: 

"The subject of the State Bank, as connected with our reve- 
nue, will, necessarily, occupy much of your time. The true 
policy, in my opinion, is to close the business of the bank as 
soon as a proper regard to the interests of the State will permit. 
This, too, ought to be done with as little oppression to the bank 
debtors as possible. 

" Within a short time all the paper of the bank will become 
payable. And although the bank policy has been most ruinous 
to the State and many of its citizens, and only benefited a few 
speculators, yet the State is in honor and duty bound for its 
payment at the appointed time. The credit and character of 
the State are involved in the prompt payment of this claim; 
and I do most sincerely recommend you to sustain that character, 
which no doubt you will take pleasure in doing, by providing 
adequate means. The warrants of the State ought not to be 
allowed to fall below /^r." 

In pursuance of the above recommendation a law was passed, 
and a loan of one hundred thousand dollars was made to enable 
the State to meet the claims against the State Bank. The loan 
was effected and the bank wound up. A good currency was 
introduced and much benefit by the operation, yet in many 
sections of the State the loan was unpopular, and it was said 
the State was sold to Wiggins who made the loan to the State. 
Many of my friends were prostrated a while for doing their duty 
in this case, but at last the measure became popular. 



CHAPTER XLiy 

The Public Debt to the General Government for the Lands Purchased. 
— Relief. ^Large Debt. — Land System changed. — Credit for Public 
Lg-nd abolished. — Col. Johnson, of Kentucky, first to give Relief — 
His Character. — General Relief granted, and the relation of Debtor 
and Creditor destroyed. 

Pecuniary embarrassments set in so strong in the West that 
purchasers of the public lands at two dollars per acre, and three- 
fourths due the Government, were unable to pay the balance of 
the purchase money, and all the lands were liable to be forfeited 
to the United States. This was the most serious grievance of 



MY OWN TIMES. I45 

all the disasters the people of the new States yet suffered. Their 
plantations and improvements were liable to be swept from 
under them, but the Congress of the United States came to the 
rescue. Col. Richard M. Johnson, in the Senate of the United 
States, was the first who proposed relief to the purchasers of the 
public lands. 

Col. Johnson, of Kentucky, was a great and patriotic states- 
man, ever willing and ever ready to relieve the distresses of his 
fellow- men. He possessed a sound and solid judgment, and 
a mind of common practical sense, with very little brilliancy or 
imagination. His integrity throughout a long and eventful life 
was always above suspicion. He made speeches in Congress to 
convince the judgments of his audience, and never attempted 
•eloquence or the flourishes of rhetoric. His report against the 
stoppage of the Sunday mails is a distinguished and enlightened 
public document. This report alone would give any person 
fame and celebrity, but his distinguished character, as a public 
man, did not stand alone on this report. He voted for the war 
of 18 1 2, with Great Britain, while he was a member of the House 
of Representatives, and when the session adjourned he volun- 
teered and commanded, as Colonel, a regiment of mounted men 
who invaded Canada. At the head of his regiment he charged 
at the battle of the Thames, on the Indians, who were numerous, 
furious, and fanatical, under the command of the celebrated 
warrior Tecumseh. He fought with Tecumseh, and his warriors, 
one of the most sanguinary battles ever fought with the abo- 
rigines. In this battle Tecumseh was killed, some say by the 
hand of Johnson, and he himself (Johnson) was wounded and 
cut almost to pieces in this terrible conflict. He was carried off 
by the celebrated William T. Barry, and others, on a blanket, 
while the blood was streaming in torrents from his wounds which 
were, at the time, considered mortal. It was a long time before 
he recovered his health, and, in fact, he never was restored to 
his previous personal ^vigor. His wounds, at last, hurried him 
to the grave. Thus fell "the poor man's friend, the kindest and 
the best." 

The two great leading traits of Johnson's character were 
benevolence and patriotism. These were the dominant passions 
that governed him, more or less, in all his actions. I was intimate 
with him in Congress, which enables me to speak so positively in 
relation to this great and good man. On his recommendation, 
a wise and judicious act of Congress was passed in 1820, which 
authorized the purchasers of public lands to select what they 
wished to retain and relinquish the balance to the Government. 
The amount of money paid was applied at one dollar and twenty- 
five cents per acre on the lands retained, and the Government 
received the lands back which were unpaid for. This law put 
the Government and the people on equal and friendly terms. 
10 



146 MY OWN TIMES. 

Another excellent feature in this law was, that it changed the 
credit system to prompt payment, and reduced the price from 
two dollars per acre to one dollar and twenty-five cents. At 
this time the public debt, owing to the United States, was about 
twenty-three millions of dollars, which could not be paid at that 
time. This act of Congress healed up all hard feelings and 
troubles between the people and the Government, and what is 
still better, it destroyed the relation of debtor and creditor, 
which ought not to exist with the Government. 

The funds the people paid into the land-offices were dis- 
bursed by the Government around the seaboards. If the West 
was not blest with the most productive soil, the country would 
have been ruined by its policy. In return for this treatment, 
the first settlers laid violent hands on "Congress timber," which 
indemnified them to some extent. 



CHAPTER L. 

Slavery Agitation in Illinois. — Election of Hon. D. P. Cook to Congress. 

The Missouri question, so called at that day, 1823, more of a 
political character than the public lands, agitated little Illinois 
to the very centre. The State had then not many more than 
fifty thousand inhabitants, but the subject of slavery was dis- 
cussed in the court-yards, sometimes in the pulpits, and at all 
gatherings of the people, as well as in the presses, and on the 
stump, throughout the State. In the elections of this year, 
this question was the prominent element. At that day, there 
was no question of Democracy or Whiggery. John McLean, 
the member then in Congress, voted on the Missouri side of the 
question, which beat him at the election. Daniel P. Cook took 
the other side, and was elected. 

The discussion of this subject was bitter and acrimonious. 
This subject has always engendered bitter feelings among the 
people, and has a tendency to array one section of the Union 
against the other. The people in Illinois, in 1820, were ready 
almost to commit violence on one another, and in fact the whole 
Union was so agitated that, like an earthquake, no one knew 
when it would subside, and all friends of the integrity of the 
Union were alarmed and shuddered at the fearful consequences 
of the agitation, and the sectional feelings produced on the 
occasion. The public agitation of the subject of slavery, and 
particularly in the halls of Congress, should be avoided as much 
as possible. 



MY OWN TIMES. I47 



CHAPTER LI. 

Artificial Mounds in Illinois, and all over the West. — Big Mound in 
the American Bottom, and Others. — The Grand Tower. — Marrais 
d'Ogee. 

The number of mounds in the West, and the millions of 
people inhabiting the Valley of the Mississippi, in some remote 
periods, is truly astonishing. These mounds were made by 
hand, and show an almost incalculable number of inhabitants in 
the country when they were made. 

Brackenbridge says — the number of villages of these for- 
gotten people must have been five thousand, and the chief city 
existed not far from the mouth of the Missouri. It is unsettled 
if these Twmdi were constructed for places of worship, fortifi-- 
cations, or burial purposes, or for all of these objects. 

I have never read any reasonable account of the time, or by 
whom, or for what purpose, there mounds were made. It is 
stated, that in the West alone, there are several thousand of 
them. They vary from ten feet high to the Mammoth Mound 
in the American Bottom, six miles east of St. Louis, which 
measures almost two hundred feet high, and is eight hundred 
yards in circumference. 

One writer states that the large fortification at Marietta, Ohio, 
was made by the Romans when they had Western Europe 
under their dominion. This is random shooting, in my opinion. 

On the Ohio River, twelve miles below Wheeling, are many 
mounds, one of which is very large. 

A town is laid out here, where the Atlantic and Ohio Rail- 
road strikes the river, and is called the "Mound City," for the 
many mounds on its site. The large mound here, is ninety 
feet high and fifty-six rods in circumference. 

It is stated that the Great Mound near Washington, in the 
State of Mississippi, is one hundred and forty-six feet high and 
fifty-six rods in circumference. 

At Circleville, Ohio, are extraordinary works of the ancients; 
some of which are military, and show much advancement in the 
art of fortification. One fort is exactly square, and the other 
circular. The square fortress is forty-five rods on each side, 
and the circular is three hundred rods around it. These forts 
v/ere walled with earth, and one of them had a ditch around it. 

At Paint Creek, Ohio, are also stupendous ancient fortifica- 
tions. The land enclosed is six hundred and twenty rods in 
circumference, and embraces one hundred and twenty-six acres 
of land ; within this fortification are seventeen mounds, and 
three hundred and twelve feet of the fort are encompased by 
a wall twelve feet high, and a ditch twenty feet deep. 



148 MY OWN TIMES. 

In Tennessee, and almost all the Western States, many of 
these mounds and fortifications have been discovered — but in 
the region around the Big Mound, above stated, are an im- 
mense number, perhaps more than in any other section of the 
West. 

I have often been on the Big, or Monk Mound, as it was once 
called, and discovered a kind of bench, or second story, to it. 
Mr. Hill, the proprietor of the mound, after the monks left it, 
sunk a well on the side of the mound, and found the layers of 
earth composing the mound, and vegetable matter. In one 
section of the mound a great number of human bones were 
discovered; but the general supposition is that this mound was 
the residence of the great monarch of the country; other specu- 
lations make it a place of retreat for the inhabitants in times of 
the inundations of the Mississippi Bottom. 

A few miles east of Lebanon, in St. Clair County, is an in- 
teresting mound. This is erected on the high land, and is ele- 
vated from fifty to eighty feet above the surface. Although I 
have often examined it, I could never discover for what use it 
was intended. 

Near Caledonia, on the Ohio River, in Pulaski County, I 
have examined an ancient fortress. It is situated on a slope to 
the Ohio River and contains several acres within its walls. 
Gateways were open, one to the river, and the other back from 
the Ohio. I think this fortress had no ditch around it. 

Some distance from the Great Mound, in the American Bot- 
tom, were three, and may be more, watch-towers, or mounds of 
earth, erected on the highest ground in the vicinity. One of 
these mounds is built on the high, rocky bluff", five miles from 
Cahokia, in Monroe County. The French call it "Pain de 
Sucre" — Sugar Loaf Another is on the high bluff, in Madison 
County, three or four miles north-east of the Great Mound, and 
the third is also on the bluff above St. Charles, in Missouri. It 
is the genera^ opinion that these elevations were watch-towers, 
and on them at night beacon-lights were raised at the approach 
of danger. 

In Madison County, there is a smaller mound, near the one 
above mentioned, and which induced the French to call them 
^'Lcs Marnjuallcs" — the teats. 

On the site of St. Louis, so many mounds existed that the 
city has acquired the cognomen of "The Mound City." 

Above this city, and in almost eveiy direction west of the 
river, as well as east, these mounds are discovered in many 
places. I presume eternal darkness will rest on this subject, 
and hide from the search of inquiry all knowledge of the people 
who made these earthen pyramids. 

A most curious mound ot rock, made not by man, but by 
nature, stands proudly majestic in the Mississippi River, and is 



MY OWN TIMES. I49 

called, in honor to it, the "Grand Tower." It is situated on the 
western side of the Mississippi, not far from the mouth of Big 
Muddy River, in Illinois. 

If the father of waters is permitted to take frolics, the Missis- 
sippi committed one when it left its old channel some miles 
above the Grand Tower, making a new bed through the solid 
rocks and hard earth. I have often examined this section of 
the Mississippi, and can say that it is surprising what could have 
caused the river to leave its ancient channel, and the bottom, 
five or six miles wide, and rush its volume of water through 
rocks and the solid bluff. By the river leaving its ancient bed, 
a high bluff, six miles long and almost a mile wide, is left as an 
island, the river running on the west side and the ancient channel 
and bottom on the east. I have been on this bluff, and it is as 
high, and similar to the high land on either side of the river. 
The rocks are perpendicular in many places on the eastern side 
of this island bluff, showing unmistakable traces of the action 
of the waters of the river in remote ages. In high water, much 
of the river floods leave the present river and pass out through 
its ancient channel. For six or eight miles this new channel of 
the river has no low land, or bottom, on either side,' which is 
found nowhere else on the river, except, perhaps, at the rapids 
of the upper Mississippi. In this licsns natnrcB of the Missis- 
sippi, it has washed away the rocksv and earth from the rock 
known as the Grand Tower, and left it eighty or one hundred 
feet high, rising out of the river, on the top is an area of about 
half an acre. I have been on it, and seen hundreds of names 
carved on the rocks and scrubby trees on the top. 

Above the upper rapids of the Mississippi, in very high floods 
part of the water of the river passes through a channel, and 
enters Rock River. This channel was called by the French 
Marrais d' Ogee, and they often navigated it with their light 
crafts, and entered the Mississippi again through Rock River — 
thus avoiding the rapids. 



CHAPTER LII. 

The Further Extension of the Settlements. — Peoria. — Counties Created. 
— The Diamond Grove. — The Indian Name of Sangamon. — More 
Counties Formed. — Tobacco and Castor Beans in the South of Illi- 
nois. — Train Oil at Peoria. 

As soon as the State government was established an increase 
of immigration commenced and continued to flow in. A more 
wealthy and permanent population settled in the State, pur- 
chased lands, and made better settlements. Schools were es- 
tablished in neighborhoods and houses of Avorship were erected 



I50 MY OWN TIMES. 

in many colonies. The farmers raised a surplus of products, 
and considerable was exported. Commerce commenced to 
assume that regular system which is necessary to its perma- 
nency and success. Mills were erected, and all the necessaries 
to a well-organized and happy community were commenced in 
the new State of lUinois. But the dearth of the currency, and 
the people vastly in debt, retarded the growth and prosperity of 
the country considerably, yet not entirely. 

In April, 1829, Abner Eads, J. Hersey, and some others, left 
St. Clair County, and located in Peoria. This was the first 
settlement of this city by the Americans, and in a few years an 
Indian agency was established in it. 

Peoria is the most ancient settlement west of the Alleghany 
mountains. 

On the lake, east of the present city of Peoria, La Salle, with 
his party, made a small fort in 1680, and from his hardships, 
called it and the lake Crave Coeiir, in English, Broken Heart. 
Indian traders, and others engaged mostly in that commerce, 
resided at the "Old Fort," as it was called, from the time La 
Salle erected the fort, in 1680, down to the year 1781, when 
John Baptist Maillet made a new location and village, about 
one mile and a half west of the old village, at the outlet of the 
lake. This was called La Ville de Maillet; that is Maillet City. 
I think at the Old Fort, as it was called, there was not much 
cultivation of the earth achieved; but the inhabitants depended 
mostly on the Indian trade and the chase for a support. At 
the new settlement, gardens and small fields of grain were 
cultivated by the inhabitants. 

In 1 78 1, the Indians, under the British influence, drove off 
the inhabitants from Peoria, but at the peace of 1783, they re- 
turned again. In 1812, Captain Craig wantonly destroyed the 
village, but the city of Peoria at present occupies the site of the 
village of Maillet, and bids fair to become one of the largest 
cities in Illinois. 

The whole frontier, from the Mississippi down and around the 
settlements, to the Wabash River and above Vincennes, were 
extended every year; the interior, also, grew more dense and 
more wealthy. 

The north-west section of the State commenced now in 
earnest to grow; and in 182 1, the counties of Montgomery, San- 
gamon, Green, and Pike were formed. The "military bounty 
land tract" commenced to settle, soon after the peace, by the 
soldiers who had served in the war with Great Britain. Some 
French families, with John Shaw at their head, located near the 
mouth of the Illinois River, and the Ross family settled near 
Atlas, the old county-seat of Pike County. 

In the eastern part of the State, the counties of Hamilton and 
Lawrence were estalalished in 1821. In two years after the 



MY OWN TIMES. I51 

formation of the State government, nine counties were organized 
and put into operation. 

The most beautiful region of country north of Green County, 
and west of Sangamon, having in the centre the Diamond 
Grove, commenced to settle in 1819, and in 1823, was formed 
into a county. A member of the legislature proposed the name 
■of Morgan for the new county, and it was adopted by accla- 
mation, in honor of General Morgan of the Revolutionary army. 
I was present, and my heart responded to the name with 
enthusiasm. 

Edgar County was established on the eastern border of the 
State in the year 1823, and is now one of the finest counties in 
the State. It was called Edgar in honor of General John 
Edgar, who had left the British service and joined the Ameri- 
cans in the Revolution. He had settled in Kaskaskia in the 
year 1780, and had then recently died. 

Marion County was established in 1823; and the country in 
the interior commenced to populate with rapidity. 

Only three counties were organized in these two years, from 
1822 to 1824, which is proof of the difficulties and embarrass- 
ments of the people of that period. 

About this time Sangamon County became famous and known 
all over the West as the most beautiful country in the valley of 
the Mississippi. It acquired a great reputation, as it deserved, 
for its exceedingly fertile soil and fine timber, which last advan- 
tage attracted a numerous, respectable, and wealthy population 
from Kentucky, who settled in it. The first settlements com- 
menced in 1819. The Indians, long before a white man saw the 
Sangamon country, were apprised of its fertility and rich pro- 
ducts. In the Pottawatomie language, Sangamon means "the 
country where there is a plenty to eat." According to our par- 
lance, it would be termed "the land of milk and honey." But, 
in fact, most of the Prairie State is as equally attractive and 
good as the Sangamon. 

The "Military Bounty Tract," lying north of the Illinois 
River, increased its population during these years more, perhaps, 
than any other section of the State. Land could be procured 
there cheaper than the Congress-price in the other parts of the 
State. 

The counties of Adams, Calhoun, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, 
Knox, McDonough, Mercer, Peoria, Schuyler, and Warren, 
were established in the tract of country north of the Illinois 
River, in the years 1824 and 1825. Henry, Mercer, and Peoria 
were established by law; but they were not organized until a 
certain amount of inhabitants settled in them. 

So many counties being established nearly at the same time, 
shows the rapid settlement of the country. The counties of 
Putnam, Wabash, Clay, and Clinton were organized in the same 
two years, 1824 and 1825, 



152 MY OWN TIMES. 

The southern interior counties commenced to cultivate to- 
bacco and the castor-bean, about this period, and have made- 
these products articles of considerable exportation. 

Not far from this period, John L. Bogardus commenced an 
enterprise at Peoria Lake — to make train oil out of the vast 
quantities of fish that he caught in the lake. He made some 
oil, but the extremely fetid smell of the putrid fish, " the 
ancient fishy smell," of which Falstafif complained, made it un- 
popular, and he abandoned it. 

The population of Sangamon was celebrated for raising fine- 
blooded stock, horses and cattle, which enriched the country 
considerably. Sangamon County is the great patriarch of 
agriculture in the State. 

The increase of population in Illinois, from i8io to 1820, is 
very extraordinary. The number of inhabitants, in 18 10, was 
12,382, and in 1820, it was 55,211, an increase in ten years of 
42,829. 

CHAPTER LHI. 

Convention to Introduce Slavery into Illinois. — Revolutionary Proceed- 
ings in the Legislature. — Excited Discussion. — Parties Arrayed. — 
Public Journals Issued Flaming Documents. — About Eighteen Hun- 
dred Votes Majority Against the Call for a Convention. 

It is almost incredible what injury the failure of the currency 
produces on the people, and what expedients will be resorted to 
for relief There seems to be no reason why the absence of a 
few dollars from the wealth of a people should effect the com- 
munity to such an alarming extent. 

The old State Bank and the stop-laws were resorted to as 
measures of relief The debts were crushing the energies of the 
people, and almost any expedient was tried to relieve the com- 
munity of these calamities. 

It was this ground, to relieve the people from the embarrass- 
ments of debt, and to put the country in a prosperous and 
growing condition, that was the foundation of the convention 
project. If the deranged state of the currency had not existed,. 
and the country had been in a happy and prosperous condition, 
a convention to introduce slavery would never have been' 
dreamed of. 

At that day, north-western free States were poor and sparsely 
inhabited, and the southern States of Kentucky, Tennessee, and 
Missouri, having slavery in them, were our nearest neighbors, 
and flourished tolerably well. Wealthy and intelligent farmers 
moving to Missouri, seeing our excellent soil, regretted they 
could not stop with their slaves in Illinois, which fired our 
people for slavery. 



MY OWN TIMES. 155 

Slavery at that day, (thirty }''ears past,) was not tested as it is 
at this time, and was not so condemned by any one as it is at 
this day. Moreover, many citizens voted for the convention for 
the gradual emancipation of slavery, by having it provided in 
the amended constitution, that, after a certain period, slavery 
should not be introduced into the State, and those in the State 
should be gradually emancipated. It was true wisdom, as it 
turned out, to have nothing in any shape or form to do with 
slavery. I voted for the convention, as a measure to advance 
the best interest of the country, and that the introduction 
should be only for a limited period. After that, those in the 
State should be gradually emancipated, but we were all mis- 
taken for supporting the convention. 

The constitution of the State at that time required a reso- 
lution of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature to vote for 
the subject being submitted to the people, who would vote for 
or against calling a convention. The members of the General 
Assembly of 1822, were not elected in reference to the subject 
of slavery, but it happened that in the Senate there was two- 
thirds for the resolution, but in the other branch one member 
was wanting to carry the convention question. 

A contested election from Pike County had been adjudged in 
the early part of the session in reference to the Senatorial 
election, and was decided manifestly wrong. After the member^ 
Nicholas Hansen, voted in the Senatorial election, and would 
not vote for the convention, it was decided to turn the member 
from Pike County out, and put in his opponent, John Shaw, so 
as to carry the convention resolution. This proceeding in the 
General Assembly looked revolutionary, and was condemned by 
all honest, reflecting men. This outrage was the death-blow to 
the convention. The night after the passage of the resolution, 
there was at the seat of government a wild and indecorous pro- 
cession by torch-light and liquor, that was also unpopular. 

The convention question gave rise to two years of the most 
furious and boisterous excitement and contest that ever was 
visited on Illinois. Men, women, and children entered the arena 
of party-warfare and strife, and the families and neighborhood 
were so divided and furious and bitter against one another, that 
it seemed a regular civil war might be the result. Many personal 
combats were indulged in on the question, and the whole country 
seemed, at times, to be ready and willing to resort to physical 
force to decide the contest. All the means known to man to 
convey ideas to one another were resorted to, and practised with 
energy. The press teamed with publications on the subject. 
The stump- orators were invoked, and the pulpit thundered 
anathemas against the introduction of slavery. The religious 
community coupled freedom and Christianity together, which 
was one of the most powerful levers used in the contest. At 



154 MY OWN TIMES. 

one meeting of the friends of freedom in St. Clair County, more 
than thirty preachers of the gospel attended and opposed the 
introduction of slavery into the State. 

I believe the most influential and energetic public men were 
on the side of the convention, but the opposition was better 
organized and trained in the cause. The facts and arguments 
were the strongest on the merits of the subject in opposition to 
slavery, which had its effect in such long discussions before the 
election. 

"The question," as it was familiarly called at the time, united 
the various denominations of religion which had never before 
acted together. 

The leaders of the convention -party were Governor Bpnd, 
Kane, McLean, Judge Phillips, A. P. Field, Joseph A. Beaird, 
Robison, Smith, Kinney West, R M. Young, and others. The 
opposition was headed by Governor Coles, the Rev. John M. 
Peck, Judge Lockwood, Daniel P. Cook, Judge Pope, Governor 
Edwards, Morris Birkbeck, David Blackwell, Hooper Warren, 
Henry Eddy, George Forquer, George Churchill, and various 
others. 

The opposition to the convention labored with more enthu- 
siasm and devotedness for the cause than the other side, and 
organized better and sooner. As soon as the convention-resolu- 
tion was carried in the legislature, the Rev. Mr. Peck had a 
meeting called in St. Clair County, and a constitution adopted 
to operate against the introduction of slavery in Illinois. Head- 
quarters were established in St. Clair County, and fourteen other 
societies were organized in so many counties, all acting in unison 
with the main society in St. Clair County. A perfect organization 
was kept up during the canvass throughout the State, which was 
effected more by the exertions of the Rev. Mr. Peck than any 
(j"*""<5tk^r person. 

fTbpper Warren, in his paper, the "Edwardsville Spectator," 
and the paper at Shawneetown, edited by Henry Eddy, together 
with the "Intelligencer," waged a fiery and efficient warfare 
during the whole canvass. 

By the arrangement of Dr. Peck and Gov. Coles, David 
Blackwell was appointed Secretary of State, and he procured an 
interest in, and the conductorship of, the "Vandalia Intelligen- 
cer," the most widely-circulated newspaper in the State. This 
was a great lever for the "anties," as the opposition party was 
called at the time. 

It is said Gov. Coles expended all his salary, as governor for 
four years ($4000) on the canvass, and the members of the legis- 
lature of 1822, contributed one thousand dollars for the cause. 

The convention party had two papers, ably conducted, one 
located at Kaskaskia and the other at Edwardsville. The paper 
at Kaskaskia was managed by Messrs. Kane, Thomas Reynolds, 



MY OWN TIMES. 15$ 

Governor Bond, and others, and that at Edwardsville was under 
the direction of Judge Smith, Emanuel J. West, McRoberts, 
and others. 

The convention -party did not contribute money, energy, or 
talents to such extent as the "anties" did ; emissaries continually 
traversed the State in all directions with flaming and bitter hand- 
bills, and each party used every character of weapon to act on 
the passions as well as the judgment of the people. Dr. Peck 
had the extra vocation to distribute bibles, which gave him an 
excellent opportunity to see and manage the movements of the 
opposition. He performed his part with the tact and talent of 
an experienced general. 

Governor Kinney travelled much, and acted with great energy 
in the cause. The "anties" were victorious in St. Clair County; 
and Kinney, Moore, and myself were beaten on the question for 
the General Assembly. At the polls of the elections through 
the State, the utmost exertions prevailed, but no riots. The 
aged and crippled were carried to the polls, and men voted on 
this occasion that had not seen the ballot-box before in twenty 
years. The opposition succeeded by about eighteen hundred 
votes majority, and thus ended the most important, and the 
most excited election that was ever witnessed in the State. 



CHAPTER LIV. 

The Land-Law and Tenures of Lands in Illinois. 

Illinois has been under four different governments — the 
French, British, Virginia, and the United States, and each has 
made grants of land to the inhabitants. The French Govern- 
ment was the first, and as early as 1722, at Fort Chartres, grants 
of land were made by the crown of France, together with the 
royal company of the Indies. The first organization of Illinois 
was a grant by the king of France to Crosat, who had power to 
make grants of land. 

The land-system of the French Government was some similar 
to that of the United States. The tracts were always adjacent, 
leaving no lands intervening between the grants. The French 
did not lay off the public lands on the cardinal points, or in 
square tracts, as the Americans do, but commenced the location 
of the lands to suit the situation of the country. The tracts of 
land under the French system were generally narrow, and extend- 
ing from a river or some other notable point back considerably. 
The grants were made by the measure of the French arpctit; 
being so many arpents in length and so many in width. The 
French acre or arpejit is eleven and sixty-seven hundredths 
and a fraction English rods, being the square of an arpciit. 



156 MY OWN TIMES. 

When, the British Government occupied the country under 
the cession of 1763, they also made grants of land to the inhabi- 
tants. These British grants were surveyed as the grantees 
pleased, without much system or reference to the cardinal points. 
After the country came into the hands of the Americans, the 
Government of Virginia made grants of land before the cession 
of the country in 1782 to the United States. 

In 1788, the United States recognised all the valid grants of 
land made by the former governments, and made other grants 
themselves to the inhabitants. Also, in 1791, acts of Congress 
were passed making grants and donations of land to the inhabi- 
tants. In the year 1790, the Governor of the North-western 
Territory was authorized to adjust the land titles of the settlers, 
and the same power was continued with the governors of the 
Territory, down to the year 1804, when certain commissioners 
ot the land-office were appointed to settle the land-titles. These 
commissioners remained in office for almost ten years, and they 
and the governor of the Territory adjusted the land-titles to all 
the lands in the country before the first land-sales at Kaskaskia, 
in the year 18 14. The unadjusted titles to the lands before the 
sales in 18 14, greatly retarded the settlement of the country, to 
my own knowledge. No one will improve or do much on lands 
when the title is not secure. 

The Government allowed a militia donation of one hundred 
acres, to be located on whatever land the owner pleased. Many 
availed themselves of these land-warrants to cover their planta- 
tions, or some especial tract of land. These land-rights sold 
for about seventy-five cents per acre. Many of the citizens 
resided on Government lands until 18 14, and many of them for 
many years afterward. » 

A kind of common -law was established by common consent, 
and common necessity, which is fifty years old in the West, that 
the improvements on Congress land shall not be purchased by 
any person except he who made the improvement. This is a 
kind of domestic pre-emption law. An act of Congress gave 
a pre-emption to all on the public lands on or before the year 
1813. The adjustment of the land-titles and the sale of the 
public lands did much to settle the country. 

The land -system of the United States is founded on true 
-S philosophy. All lines are run on the cardinal points except 
fractions; so that all the lands are embraced at once in the 
survey, and none left out. These lines answer well, also, for 
.the civil government of the country, making county lines and 
others. Houses may be erected on the cardinal points, so that 
the family may know that the dinner should be on the table the 
same time the sun is on the meridian. 

This land -system being so correct and simple, disputes in 
relation to land -titles are kept down, which is one of the 



MY OWN TIMES. I57 

greatest blessings to the country. A people will not prosper 
when the land-titles are not valid and good. The land-tenures 
in Illinois, emanating from the General Government, are gen- 
erally good, and very little litigation is had on them. 



CHAPTER LV. 

Fun and Frolic in Primitive Illinois. 

Mankind, by a wise law of Providence, enjoys, in various 
situations, times, and countries, about the same amount of hap- 
piness. If this was not the case. Providence would be unjust 
to his creatures, which is not the fact. The Supreme Being, in 
the fullness of His adorable perfections, has meted out to all 
human beings nearly the same happiness, if the person himself 
will do his duty; but if an individual will violate the laws of 
his existence, he will inevitably receive misery and pain as a 
punishment in proportion to the violation. All classes of 
people enjoy about the same amount of happiness. Burns, 
the Doet of nature, sings: 

"Dearly bought this hidden treasure, 
Finer feelings can bestow; 
Chords, that vibrate the sweetest pleasure, 
Thrill the deepest notes of woe." 

In pioneer-times, pranks and tricks played off on one another 
was a prominent element in the amusements and mirth of that 
early day. It entered then into the hearts of the people to 
enjoy these pranks with more pleasure than the money-making 
pe<^)le do of the present day. 

An individual, (Will-iam Lemen,) now a resident of Monroe 
County, only a few m i les~3^ist ant" fro m the place where he was 
born, of an excellent and respectable family, and he himself a 
man of rare and good talents of this order, has performed, with 
ingenuity and adroitness, more tricks and pranks than would 
fill a volume. In his neighborhood, at the house of Andrew 
Kinney, was a night-meeting, and the congregation were zealous 
and devout. This religious meeting was held in a small log- 
cabin, with only one window. When the congregation were all 
down on their knees devoutly in prayer, and their heads bowed 
down, this singular and talented individual, Lemen, threw a 
small calf through the window into the house. The calf was 
kept in a pen behind the house, and when it was thrown in# 
through the window, it knocked the only candle down, which 
was burning on the table under the window. The calf bawled 
out in the darkness in the midst of the congregation. The 
females screamed out, and were terrified nearly to death, as 
they supposed the "Old Boy" had jumped in through the win- 



158 MY OWN TIMES. 

dow to seize them for their sins. After much confusion and 
shouting, the candle was again Ht, and behold, there stood 
the calf 

In pioneer-times, in Illinois, the people were not so ambitious 
to acquire wealth as they are at this day, and enjoyed them- 
selves more in such amusements as above narrated; but the 
happiness of the people is enjoyed more at this time in the 
accumulation of wealth and honorable distinctions in society. 



CHAPTER LVI. 

The Early Elections in Illinois for Governor and other Officers. — 
Re-organization of the Judiciary. 

In August of 1822, was the general election in Illinois for 
the State and Federal officers. Four individuals appeared 
before the people as candidates for governor of the State, and 
two for Congress. Joseph Philips, Thomas C. Browne, James 
B. Moore, and Edward Coles, offered their services for governor, 
and Daniel P. Cook and John McLean, for Congress. In this 
election very little excitement existed, and no measures were 
discussed, except the slavery question, in certain districts of 
the State. 

Joseph Philips was a Tennesseean by birth, and possessed a 
fine classic education. He had been educated for the law, and 
had been an officer in the army during the war of 18 12, with 
Britain. He had been secretary of the Territory, and was, 
when he offered for governor, the chief-justice of the Supreme 
Court of the State. He resigned that office on the 4th of jpily 
of that year. He possessed good talents and a good character. 

Thomas C. Browne was a judge also of the Supreme Court, 
and a man of good natural mind. 

General Moore was a farmer of sound practical sense, and 
had immigrated with his father to Illinois in the year 1781. He 
did not possess the advantages of education, but by a long life 
in public business, had obtained much practical information. 
He had been, during the war with Great Britain, a captain of a 
United States ranging- company, that performed excellent ser- 
vice on the frontiers in the above-named war. 

Edward Coles was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, in 
the year 1786, and had received a classic education at William 
and Mary College. In his youth, he conceived the idea that 
slavery was an evil, and as a conscientious man, that decision he 
has never abandoned during his life. He became, after he left 
college, the private secretary of President Madison, and during 
the six years that he remained in the President's family, 
acquired much political and other information. He was bearer 



MY OWN TIMES. 159 

of dispatches to John Q. Adams, at Russia, and made the tour 
of Europe and returned home a poHshed and intelligent gentle- 
man. He visited the West in 18 18, and resided some time in 
the town of Waterloo, in Monroe County, Illinois. He returned 
to Virginia, and made arrangements to liberate his negroes in 
Illinois. When the father of Mr. Coles died, about twenty 
slaves descended to his son, Edward Coles, and these slaves he 
made free mostly in Illinois. He purchased farms for some of 
the families near Edwardsville, and made them as happy as 
possible. About the year 1821, he was appointed Register of 
the Land Office in Edwardsville, which gave him an opportunity 
to become ac(^ainted with the people in his land district. 
Under these circumstances, he was elected governor in 1822, 
and was in office during the boisterous times of the convention. 

Daniel P. Cook beat McLean for Congress, with an increased 
vote over his previous election, and A. F. Hubbard was elected 
lieutenant-governor of the State. 

In all these elections, the candidates came before the people 
without any conventions. At that day, the caucus-system was 
very unpopular, and not resorted to for years afterward. The 
elections were then, as they are at present, biennial, and the 
next was in August, 1824. In this election, the slavery ques- 
tion entered largely into the canvass, and governed the vote in 
many counties of the State. 

The election for governor did not come off this year, but the 
excited and bitter election for and against the convention 
infused its fury and venom into all other elections. 

Daniel P. Cook was opposed to the convention, and his oppo- 
nent. Governor Bond, voted for it. Cook was again victorious 
by a good majority. 

. The excitement and vigor of the elections with the people 
were transferred to the legislature, and in that body an unnatu- 
ral and enthusiastic excitement prevailed. This general assem- 
bly were engaged in important business this session. Elections 
for two United States Senators were held. John McLean and 
Governor Edwards were the candidates for the "short leg," as it 
was called. Governor Edwards had been appointed Minister to 
Mexico, and had resigned his office as Senator, for one year 
unexpired in the term of six, for which he was elected in 18 19. 
He had a difficulty with William H. Crawford and friends, 
which caused him to resign his mission to Mexico, and also 
injured him in the State. McLean was elected to the term of 
one year unexpired, and set off direct to the city of Wash- 
ington to enter upon the duties of his office. He was at that 
time, I think, the most popular man in the State with that legis- 
lature, and still remained a candidate for the next term of six 
years, commencing after the expiration of his one year. His 
competitor, Elias K. Kane, who was a member of the legisla- 



l60 MY OWN TIMES. 

ture from Randolph County, was present with the general 
assembly, and McLean absent, which was a great drawback on 
the latter. At this election, Mr. Kane was elected to the 
United States Senate for six years from the 3d March, 1825. 

At this legislature the judiciary of the State was organized, 
and circuit courts established. It was discovered that the 
labors of the four judges were too onerous and even oppressive, 
and therefore circuit courts were organized, and the judges of 
the Supreme Court were required to hold two terms of the 
court annually. The judges of the Supreme Court were 
required by the legislature to revise and report a new code of 
statute laws to the next general assembly. 

Judge Wilson was elected chief- justice, and Thomas C. 
Browne, Theopholis W. Smith, and Samuel D. Lockwood, 
associate-judges. John Y. Sawyer, Samuel McRoberts, Richard 
M. Young, James Hall, and James O. Wattles, were elected 
circuit - court judges. James Turney was elected attorney- 
general. Judge Thomas Reynolds and myself were not 
retained on the bench, as we had been rather conspicuous in 
favor of the convention, and that question made all yield to it 
who had any size to incur its displeasure. The convention 
question soon cooled off, and the people became calm and 
friendly with one another again. 

In none of these elections were any political measures, either 
Whig or Democratic, discussed or acted on. 



CHAPTER LVII. 

Presidential Election in 1824. 

The administration of President Monroe was calm, quiet, 
and popular, and the old parties that had agitated the country 
so long, and with such violence, known as the "Republican" 
and " Federal " had subsided, and a perfect political calm 
reigned throughout the country. 

At the commencement of the presidential canvass of 1824, 
no party measure was discussed, and all the candidates had 
been acting with the Republican party, and were considered to 
pertain to that party. At first, the candidates were John Q. 
Adams, Andrew Jackson, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and 
William C. Crawford. During the summer, Calhoun was with- 
drawn in Pennsylvania and some other States from the Presi- 
dential contest, and placed on the track for Vice-President. 

Crawford was the regular nominee-candidate of the Repub- 
lican party, so called, but his nomination was made by only 
eighty-seven members of Congress, which gave him no stand- 
ing. The people considered that the members of Congress 



MY OWN TIMES. l6l 

were not elected for that purpose, and such a nomination was 
an injury rather than advantage to the candidate. 

General Jackson had been nominated first by the general 
assembly of Tennessee, next by Pennsylvania, and some other 
States. 

In Illinois, Crawford received the votes mostly of the Bond 
or convention party. Adams was supported by the anti-slavery 
men, and mostly those who opposed the convention. Clay was 
considered then a champion of the war, Republican party, and 
received many votes of this character of citizens. Jackson was 
also of the Republican party, but his great popularity arose 
from his splendid military career. Many citizens in southern 
Illinois, and in fact all over the State, knew him in the war, ate 
hickory-nuts with him, and would fight and die for him. 

At the commencement of the canvass, no one dreamed that 
Jackson was so popular with the masses as he turned out to be. 
On this consideration, some of the friends of Adams, and the 
opponents of the convention, supported Jackson to take the 
votes from Crawford, so that Adams would carry the State. It 
was supposed that the contest in the State would be between 
Adams and Crawford, but the masses were disposed to support 
Jackson in spite of the politicians, and did so. The friends of 
Jackson were not organized as the parties supporting the other 
candidates were. The State, at that day, was entitled to three 
electors only, and Jackson received two of them, and very near 
the third. I voted for Jackson the first, last, and every time he 
was before the people as a candidate. 

The popularity of Jackson was extraordinary from the first 
time he came before the people, and during his whole Presi- 
dential career. It was his democratic principles, unquestioned 
integrity, his frankness, talents, and decision of character, 
together with his extraordinary military career, that gave him 
such high standing with the masses. Colonel Benton said the 
truth: "Bankers, brokers, jobbers, contractors, politicians, and 
speculators were certainly against him, as he was against them." 

Adams was never popular in the State, and it was the wise 
and discreet management of his talented friends that got him 
any electoral vote in the State at all. 

Clay had no particularly organized party before or during the 
canvass, but he stood extremely well with the masses. He was 
the second choice of the State, and was my second choice also. 

The Bond party that supported Crawford was the best 
organized in the State, and the leading members were efficient, 
talented men, but Crawford was a stranger to the people, and 
they preferred a Western man — Jackson or Clay. 

At that day in the United States, there were 261 electoral 
votes in all, and it required 131 to make an election. Jackson 
had in the whole Union 99 votes, Adams 84, Crawford 41, and 
II 



l62 MY OWN TIMES. 

Clay 37. No one having a majority of all the votes, the elec- 
lion of President by the Constitution devolved on the House of 
Representatives, which will be narrated in another chapter. 

John C. Calhoun had no organized opposition for the Vice- 
Presidency, and received one hundred and eighty-two votes,, 
which elected him. 



CHAPTER LVni. 

Parties Commenced in Illinois. — Election of Joseph Duncan to Con- 
gress. 

Daniel P. Cook, the Member in Congress representing the 
State, pledged himself, in the canvass of 1824, when he ran in 
opposition to Governor Bond, that if the necessity occurred he 
would give the vote of the State for the presidential candidate 
who received from the people the most votes throughout the 
State. On this pledge lie zuas elected. When the election of the 
President came before the House of Representatives — Jackson, 
Adams, and Crawford being the candidates — he cast the vote of 
the State for Adams, which, with the other votes, elected him to- 
the presidency. 

This election of Adams over Jackson was the commencement 
of that fierce and violent party contest that existed in Illinois,.. 
more or less, since 1824 to the present time. The friends of 
Jackson and Crawford generally united on Jackson, and those 
supporting Adams and Clay, in Illinois, mostly did battle after- 
wards under the banner of Adams. 

The contest, directly after the election, seemed to rise among 
the people as if by a kind of instinct, and party rage and vio- 
lence swept oVer the State like a tornado. The people thought 
Jackson was cheated out of the election, and that their choice 
was disregarded. There was no substantial objection to either 
Adams or his administration, but the warm, enthusiastic parti- 
zans urged violent means in the support of Jackson. The other 
party was more sedate, quiet, and less violent, but equally 
decisive. 

The Adams party first assumed the name of "National 
Republicans," and afterward "Whigs." The Jackson party, hav- 
ing their republican name taken from them, called themselves 
Democrats, or the Jackson party. Thus these parties became 
organized, and the people took sides without the convention 
system. This system was still very unpopular in the West 
with all parties. Under the organization of these parties, discus- 
sion of measures commenced, and the newspapers, what few 
there were, teemed with it. The stumps were crowded with 
orators, and the pulpit was not always clear of political dis- 
cussions. 



MY OWN TIMES. 163 

It may not be out of place here to state, that although I was 
enthusiastic for Jackson, yet I never attempted to make party 
political speeches in the cause until long after his election to 
the presidency. I was diffident, not in the habit of public 
speaking, and at the time disliked stump speeches, although 
they commenced in Illinois in this canvass. Now I am satisfied 
I was mistaken, as public discussion is one of the many essen- 
tial means of enlightening the public mind. Orderly and intelli- 
gent discussion is ever essential to the liberties of a people, and 
should be encouraged. 

The southern part of Illinois was settled mostly by immi- 
grants from Tennessee, Kentucky, and the South, where stump 
speeches were practised, and they adopted the same system. 
No matter what the office might be, down to constable, the 
candidates must declare their sentiments, as it was called. The 
northern part of the State did not adopt the system so soon as 
the south, but at this day public discussion is practised all over 
the State. 

Under this state of party feeling in Illinois, Cook became a 
candidate again for congress, and was, before his vote foi 
Adams, the most popular man in the State. Cook's popularity 
was founded as much on his urbanity of manners, his gentle- 
manly deportment, and benevolence of heart, as on his capacity 
for office, or on the policy of his measures. The people disliked 
to give him up, and many of his old friends, although they were 
red-hot for Jackson, still supported him. In truth, Cook's old 
opponents for congress got so much beaten down that they 
feared to oppose him again, even after his vote for Adams; but 
a young man, of an agreeable and amiable disposition, Joseph 
Duncan, a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, who had been 
both in the war with Britain, and in the State Senate of Illi- 
nois, entered his name as a candidate for congress against Cook. 
Most of the people had not the least idea that Duncan would 
hold a respectable poll in opposition to Cook. No one then 
knew the rage and violence that party spirit did assume in that 
canvass, which existed in Illinois in the year 1826. Duncan 
was modest, of moderate talents, and made short, common- 
sense speeches. He had no political sins to answer for, and 
made himself popular wherever he appeared. He was an 
ensign in the battle at the Lower Sandusky, under Croghran, 
and acquitted himself well; he had also performed his duties in 
the Senate of the State to the satisfaction of the public. Cook, 
during all the canvass, tried to explain away his vote, and to 
sustain Adams, but it all would not do; Duncan was elected by 
the Jackson party by a large majority. 



l64 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER LIX. 

The Arrival of General La Fayette in the United States in 1824. — His 
Visit to Illinois in 1825. 

The whole Union, from one extreme border to the other, 
experienced a general joy and gratification on the arrival of 
Gen. La Fayette in the United States. In this great national 
outburst of gratitude and general rejoicing, no party or bitter 
feelings interposed, and the whole nation hailed the hero of the 
Revolution with those honorable and patriotic feelings that 
were due to the immortal character of La Fayette. He arrived 
at St. Louis, Missouri, the last day of April, 1825, and a great 
concourse of people attended and greeted him. 

I resided at that time near St. Louis, and heard early in the 
morning thirteen cannon fired in honor of the hero, and "the 
times that tried men's souls." These thirteen cannon awakened 
all my patriotism for him and the Revolution, and placed me, 
in my feelings, i?i the midst of it. Our Representative in Con- 
gress, the Hon. Daniel P. Cook, introduced me to him, and I 
had the honor to behold, with admiration and respect, this great 
and good man. He was lame from a wound he received in 
achieving our liberties, which added much interest to his charac- 
ter. Governor Coles, the governor of the State, escorted him 
to Vandalia, the seat of government of the State, and also to 
Shawneetown. At this latter place, Judge Hall, then a citizen 
of Illinois, delivered him an address on behalf of the citizens of 
that town, which, for its neatness and elegance, was a model of 
composition, and also admirably expressed the sentiments of 
the people of Illinois to that distinguished individual. 

When I saw General La Fayette in St. Louis, he was sixty- 
eight years of age, and he showed on his countenance the signs 
of much care and anxiety. His person was slender, and at 
least six feet high. Age had bent his form a little, but he was 
still gay and cheerful. It seemed that his lameness added to 
his noble bearing, as it told to the heart the story of the Revo- 
lution. Judging from my visit to him, I would say that he 
possessed, in an eminent degree, all the amiable and benevolent 
traits of character that elevate and adorn the human family. It 
appeared to me that delicate and refined sensibility reigned 
strong in his character, and that chivalry and honor had a 
strong resting-place in his heart. These traits were, in my 
opinion, dominant in his character, and out of them arose his 
patriotism and love of liberty that showed so conspicuously 
throughout his long and eventful life. 



MY OWN TIMES. 165 



CHAPTER LX. 

The Author Practices Law.-^Is Elected for the First Time to the 
General Assembly in 1826. 

In the spring of 1825, I entered closely and attentively into 
the practice of the law. I studied the science with care and 
attention. I attended rigidly and with great care to my busi- 
ness in court. Punctuality in court — always present and ready 
— insures business and success. I entered into a tolerably large 
practice immediately, but it was not very profitable, and I must 
be permitted to say, that I never knew a lawyer in the State 
who ever became very wealthy by his practice alone. It is 
speculation, and the rise of property in the West, that has made 
so many lawyers and others wealthy. I was lean, active, and 
energetic, and could ride on horseback days and nights together 
without much sleep or rest. But I had been so long on the 
bench, where public speaking was not practised, that when I ap- 
peared at the bar, as a lawyer, my old diffidence also appeared 
with me, and it was an effort at first to address the court or 
jury. For some time in the courts I was quite a silent member, 
and knew well my silence in many cases injured the interest of 
my clients, but by repeated efforts I succeeded to some extent. 
During my practice of law, I was familiar with the people, got 
acquainted with almost everybody, and become somewhat pop- 
ular. I had no settled object in view as to my future course of 
life, more than to make a living, and to continue on in my 
humble, peaceable, and agreeable manner. 

For many years before 1830, when I offered for governor of 
the State, I had no political ambition or aspirations for office 
whatever. I was happy, enjoying fine health and the vigor of 
life, possessing neither wealth nor poverty, having a full share 
of the practice of the law, and enjoying a pleasant and familiar 
intercourse with society. I owed no debts, and stood in no 
one's way; had friends everywhere more than I deserved, and 
in no office; speculated not much, and lived very happy at 
home. In our domestic concerns, we were plain and unpre- 
tending — nothing like extravagance in anything — never kept 
any liquor in the house, although the custom of the country 
then was to the contrary. I drank none, and I treated my 
friends when they called on me with all possible civility, except 
strong drink. We used an economy perhaps bordering on 
parsimony, but it is better to err on the side of prudence and 
economy than on the side of extravagance and recklessness. 

The above is a "peep behind the curtain" of the domestic 
life of the author for a short period. 



l66 MY OWN TIMES. 

In the spring of 1826, Governor Edwards and the convention 
party assembled at Belleville, and selected a full ticket for all 
the county officers, sheriff and all, of St. Clair County. Of 
course, I and my friends were not included. The convention 
party rallied, and every one of our^party were elected except 
one county commissioner. I was elected to the house of 
representatives of the State Legislature. I did not then con- 
sider this post a great office, and I entered into it as much to 
gratify my friends and the people as myself This was the first 
attempt I made to manage an election. I was well acquainted 
with the people of the county, and knew what kind of an organ- 
ization would succeed. We succeeded over the efforts of 
Governor Edwards and the old anti-convention party. The 
Governor was hostile to me, and published many severe and 
bitter handbills against me during this election and the succeed- 
ing one of 1828. 

I soon discovered that a seat in the house of representatives 
of the general assembly is one of the most efficient offices, "for 
weal or for woe," to the people, of any in the government. The 
House is elected directly by the people, and is, in fact, the 
people in miniature. All the laws which direct and govern our 
most important* and sacred rights and privileges, emanate from 
the State legislatures. The general assemblies of the States 
have the power to do infinite service to the people, or they may 
curse them with foul and corrupt legislation. 

I entered this legislature without any ulterior views, and with 
an eye single to advance the best interests of the State, and 
particularly the welfare of old St. Clair County. My only 
ambition was to acquit myself properly, and to advance the 
best interests of the country. 

CHAPTER LXI. 
The Election, of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois in 1826. 

In this canvass, three candidates appeared in the field — 
Ninian Edwards, Thomas Sloo, and A. F. Hubbard. The last- 
named candidate had been elected lieutenant-governor, and he 
supposed it was a matter of course to elect him governor. The 
contest was between the two first-named candidates. Mr. Sloo 
had been a member of the general assembly for many years, 
and was a gentleman of agreeable manners and irreproachable 
character. He had, by his urbanity of manners and gentle- 
manly deportment, obtained many friends throughout the State. 
He had been employed in business as a merchant, and in it he 
had not been in the habit of public speaking, which operated 
against him, particularly when Governor Edwards was his oppo- 
nent, as Edwards was an accomplished orator. 



MY OWN TIMES. 167 

The Jackson party, which was not then properly organized, 
•supported Sloo. If the party had been trained then as it was 
some years afterwards, Sloo, no doubt, would have been elected. 

Governor Edwards was a gentleman of acknowledged talents 
and eloquence, who had been for many years in the lead of 
many political campaigns, so that it seemed rather an unfair 
contest with Mr. Sloo. Edwards possessed a fine, imposing 
appearance, and did not dislike a showy and splendid display. 
To counteract these decided advantages, he labored under the 
charge of the attack he made on Crawford, and also his hearty 
support of Jackson was questioned. His opponents were bitter 
and efficient, but after an animated canvass of several months, 
he was elected by a small majority. He had been in Illinois 
since the year 1809, and in office most of that time. In this 
long term of office, he must of necessity have made a great 
many enemies. Mr. Sloo then had no enemies. Governor 
Kinney, who was elected lieutenant-governor at the same elec- 
tion, was warmly opposed to Governor Edwards, and said, when 
Edwards was elected, that "the Governor was like an old, weak 
Jiorse, and that it strained him so much to jump into the corn- 
field that he could not eat any corn after he got into the field" 
— meaning that although Edwards was elected, he had not 
much influence in the office when he was in it. 

The candidates for lieutenant-governor were Samuel H. 
Thompson, and William Kinney — both preachers of the gospel 
— Kinney was a Baptist and Thompson a Methodist. Both of 
these gentlemen were talented and efficient in their respective 
spheres. Kinney was an early settler in the country, having 
immigrated with his father to Illinois in the year 1797. He had 
j^ot the means of education, but nature betowed on him much 
ability. When he was married, he was almost destitute of the 
rudiments of education, and to remedy the defect, to some 
■extent, his wife after their marriage instructed him to read and 
write. He was energetic and ambitious, and had been in politi- 
cal life for many years previous to the election in 1826. He 
possessed an inexhaustible store of pithy and pointed anec- 
dotes, which he used with effect on many occasions. He was a 
member of the regular Baptist Church, and with or without 
their consent, he indulged in all the modes of electioneering of 
that period. He was wealthy, and had the means to extend to 
his friends and the people all the liquid appliances of the day. 
He was considered, what he really was, one of the most efficient 
canvassers with the people that was in the State. With all this 
personal influence, he was a simon-pure of the Jackson party. 

His opponent, the Rev. Mr. Thompson, was also a very 
talented and gifted man, possessing much better scholastic 
education than the other Rev. gentleman, but had not the 
knowledge of mankind like his opponent. Mr. Thompson was 



l68 MY OWN TIMES. 

one of the leading clergymen of the Methodist Church, and had 
not been before engulfed in politics. He was very modest and 
unassuming, and seemed to dislike his position as a candidate 
for lieutenant-governor. He possessed an irreproachable char- 
acter, and would not tarnish it by any electioneering act. Mr. 
Kinney succeeded by a small majority — although he was on the 
ticket of Mr. Sloo which failed. 



CHAPTER LXn. 

Galena. — The Lead Min^ in Illinois. — James Johnson Leased the 
Mines. — Morality of Galena. — Duel with Rocks. — Nicknames. — Joe 
Davis County. — Fever River. 

In 1823, Colonel James Johnson, of Kentucky, the brother of 
Colonel Richard M. Johnson, leased the lead mines of the 
general government, and entered the mines with a company and 
all the necessary implements to work the mines. He ascended 
the small stream known now as Fever River, as far up as his 
boats could navigate it, and then made his camp. In this 
vicinity stands the present wealthy, intelligent, and commercial 
city of Galena. It is situated seven miles up Fever River, from 
the Mississippi, and at the extreme point of navigation of that 
small stream. The miners, merchants, and others, squatted on 
the government lands in Galena, and a large town was erected 
on the public domains. 

I first visited Galena in 1829, and found a most singular and 
mysterious medley of people located in that place. People 
from all quarters of the earth had flocked there on account q^ 
the celebrity of the lead mines. The Irish prevailed there more 
than any other European people. Numbers of French were 
there also, and many immigrants had left Lord Selkirk's colony 
on Red River in the North and located in Galena. I presume 
every State in the Union was represented in the mixture of 
population of this town. I think the State of Illinois furnished 
more of the population of the mining district than any other. 

Galena and the mining district were more moral than might 
have been expected among such heterogeneous masses. I 
know at that day there was a great amount of intelligence in 
Galena, and society existed in that town, 'at this early day, as 
enlightened and as polished as will be generally found in any 
settlement, old or new, of the same size. But still, many 
indulged in habits not recognized in any part of the decalogue. 
I could, hear and see, within a small compass of Galena, on the 
Sabbath-day, preaching, dancing, cards, billiards, and other 
games, together with an occasional horse-race on the flat 
ground, at that day between the town and river. 



ivIY OWN TIMES. 169 

Mr. Kent was in the pulpit and the dancers on the floor of a 
Mr. Durant, a Frenchman, from the settlement of Lord Selkirk, 
at the same time, on the Sabbath. Many games were going on 
in open day, and that on the Sabbath, at the same time, but 
with all this mixture of human actions, other crimes or misde- 
meanors were not common. The dancing and gaming were 
generally confined to a class of people who had been educated 
to believe it was not a sin to act in this manner, which lessened 
the transgression in the eyes of philosophy. 

A most singular duel was fought in the mining district at 
this early day. Thomas Higgins, of Fayette County — the same 
person who had such a terrible battle with the Indians in 18 14, 
and another champion, fell out, and agreed to fight a duel with 
rocks. The same size and number of rocks were selected by 
their seconds, and the parties placed at their posts, ten yards 
apart. The combatants were to throw the rocks at each other 
at the time mentioned by the seconds. The rocks were placed 
in a pile, so that the parties could use them as they pleased. 
Higgins was so strong, courageous, and expert in throwing rocks 
that his opponent was forced to flee to save his life. This was 
a kind medium duel between the murderous pistol and the brutal 
pugilation, but still highly condemnable by refined civilization 
«and Christianity. 

Many fine houses were erected in Galena, and lots laid off 
before the squatters had any title at all to the premises, except 
public opinion. The wise law of necessity was honorably re- 
spected, and great amounts of property were held in security 
under it. The pre-emption right by Congress, and more so by 
the people interested, was observed with rigor and fidelity. 
Some years after, an act of Congress was passed, laying off 
Galena and selling the lots to the actual settlers at a reduced 
price. 

The great fortunes made by many, and the success of Colonel 
Johnson at the "Buck Lead," as it was called, near the present 
city of Galena, gave the mines such character and standing, that 
thousands and thousands of people of all grades and classes, 
thronged to the mines. For several years, down to 1834, the 
whole earth, north, east, and south of Galena was covered with 
people, prospecting, digging, and looking for lead ore, in all the 
various manners and modes the mineral could be discovered, 
and raised out of the earth. It seemed the people were literally 
crazy, and rushed to the mines with the same blind energy and 
speed, that a people would in a panic flee from death. The 
learned professions laid down science, and took up the pick to 
delve in the bowels of the earth for the ore. Merchants, clerks, 
farmers and all classes repaired to the mines, thinking each one 
would be the fortunate mortal, who would return in a few 
months with a princely fortune. The excitement kept them. 



170 MY OWN TIMES. 

healthy, although they lay out winter and summer, in tents 
exposed to the inclemency of the weather. 

It was in the mining district of Illinois, amongst the floods of 
immigrants, that the names of the people of the various States 
originated. 

The sucker fish ascend and descend the rivers at stated 
periods, which, from the best information I can obtain, gave the 
name of "suckers" to the people of Illinois; as those people as- 
cended the river to Galena in shoals in the spring and descended 
in the fall. For many years, this name was given to and recog- 
nized by the citizens of Illinois, as much as the real name. The 
people became proud of it. General Henry, at a crisis in the 
battle with Black Hawk, near the Wisconsin, addressed his 
army as "brave suckers," which excited his troops to the ne plus 
ultra of their energies. , 

The citizens of Missouri were called "pukes." It is difficult to 
ascertain the origin of this name. It was said it was given to 
the people of Missouri, because a man from that State got 
drunk and puked. The Ohio people were called "Buckeyes" 
— the Wisconsin, "Wolverines" — the Indiana people, "Hoosiers" 
— the Kentuckians, "Corn -Crackers," and so on, with many 
other States. These names are now going out of fashion. 

In the Legislature of 1826 and 1827, a county was organized, 
embracing the mining district, which was called Joe Davis 
County. I proposed the name of Davis in the General Assem- 
bly, and John McLean, with much Kentucky enthusiasm, added 
the name "Joe" to Davis, and it succeeded. It could not be 
severed in that Legislature, as we tried it often. 

This county was called "Joe Davis," in honor of Joseph 
Hamilton Davis, of Kentucky, who was a great and distinguished 
man. He was singular and eccentric, but withal, a profound 
scholar, and an accomplished orator. Except the standard of 
eloquence, Henry Clay, Davis was reputed to be the next 
eloquent man in all the West. At that early day, Kentucky 
produced a host of great men, and eloquence among them was 
advanced to great perfection. Davis stood in the front ranks of 
this sublime gift of nature to man, shedding the brflliant light 
of heaven on certain subjects, on which his inspiration was 
directed. He was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811, 
charging the enemy at the head of his troops. He lived and 
died sustaining the character of a brave and noble Kentuckian. 

Fever River is a small stream extending seven miles from 
Galena to the Mississippi, and was called by the French La 
Riviere de Fevre which is Bean River, or creek, in English. 
The Americans retained the name Fever River, which gives out 
the idea of sickness, and which neither the orignal meaning of 
the name nor the truth can sustain, as Galena and the adjacent 
country are as healthy as any region west of the mountains. 



MY OWN TIMES. 171 

The pursuit of mineral is generally an injury to the public. 
All the lead ever raised in the mines around Galena would not 
pay for the work expended in the pursuit. The great collection 
of people at the mines have a tendency to injure the public 
morals more than in rural districts, where the people are more 
sparcely settled. 

The city of Galena, and the mining country around it, 
generally, are wealthy, as both agricultural and mineral wealth 
concentrate at this point. 

CHAPTER LXIIl. 

The Author a Member of the General Assembly of the State in 1826 
and 1827, — General Assembly. — Their Names. — The Penitentiary. 

I was in the leading strings of no man's party, or clique of 
men, to govern my actions in the General Assembly. It was 
true I supported General Jackson in 1824, and was honestly and 
steadfast in the great Democrat family; but I was not pro- 
scriptive or collcred down to act with the party when I was 
satisfied it did not advance the best interest of the State. I 
was depending on the masses for my election, and considered 
myself bound to support their interest, and not the advance- 
ment of a clique, or a few men of any denomination. With 
certain leaders of cliques, and with "big, little men," as Governor 
Ford calls them, I was not popular, and I am not to this day. 
With this unrestrained and liberal policy in view, I entered the 
legislature with the sole intention to advance the best interests 
of the State. 

It is due to this General Assembly to state, that it was com- 
posed generally of members of sound practical sense, and many 
possessed the first order of talents. It will be seen, by refer- 
ence to the subsequent history of the State, that many of the 
members of this legislature became, in after days, distinguished 
and conspicious public characters, both in the State and Federal 
Governments. 

The members of the Senate were Messrs. Bliss, Bird, Beaird, 
Casey, Carlin, Lemen, Alexander, Archer, Hay, Hunsaker, 
Widen, Ewing, lies, Duncan, Job, Conway, and Kirkpatrick. 
In the House of Representatives were Messrs. Alexander, of 
Crawford County, Alexander, of Vermillion County, McLean, 
Thomas Reynolds, Pugh, Blackwell, Clubb, Mills, Leeper, 
Churchill, Allen, Hall, James, Lacy, McHenry, McLaughlin, 
Prince, John Reynolds, Ridgeway, Slade, Wren, Will, Berry, 
Cavarly, Fletcher, Ives, Leib, Mobly, Prickett, Ross, Sim, 
Brooks, Dorris, Field, and Utter. 

Governor Edwards, as has been heretofore remarked, was the 
chief magistrate, and William Kinney presided over the Senate, 



1/2 MY OWN TIMES. 

as lieutenant-governor. George Forquer, Esq., was secretary 
of State; Abner Field, treasurer; and Elijah C. Berry, auditor. 

The General Assembly and the public officers in the Ex- 
ecutive Departments of the State Government are above pre- 
sented, and were for the most part talented and efficient men. 
The State Government was then in the hands of able men and 
sound patriots. 

John McLean was elected Speaker of the House, but he was 
taken sick during the session, and Thomas Reynolds was elected 
to fill his place. 

I had reflected on the subject of punishment of criminals, and 
had reached the conclusion that the criminal law should be 
changed, and that the ancient barbarous system of whipping, 
cropping, and branding for crimes, should be abolished and the 
penitentiary substituted. This ancient practice had been in 
operation for ages, and it was difficult to change it. There is a 
kind of reverence and respect for old customs that is trouble- 
some to overcome. But the age required the old barbarous 
systems of the pillory, the whipping-post, and the gallows to be 
cast away, and a more christian and enlightened mode of punish- 
ment adopted. 

Our constitution was the first in the Union that abolished 
imprisonment for debt, and it contains this humane provision: 
"the object of punishment is reformation, and not for extermi- 
nation" — which shows the spirit ©f the age. On the same prin- 
ciple, the penitentiary system was established in Illinois — to 
reform the convicts, and not to exterminate them. 

The General Government had reserved a great quantity of 
the public lands for the use of the Ohio and Vermillion Salines, 
in this State, and these lands became useless for the manufact- 
ure of salt. They prevented the settlement of the country, and 
it was decided by this General Assembly that thirty thousand 
acres of the Ohio Saline and ten thousand of the Vermillion 
Saline should be sold, if the General Government ceded the 
lands to the State and authorized a sale. The State Treasury 
was empty, and this was the only means to erect a penitentiary, 
or to improve the State. No one at that day dreamed of a 
loan. A memorial, at my instance, was sent to Congress, and 
in due time the cession of the lands was made and then sold. 

It was a kind of an agreement in the State, that the western 
section should have half of the proceeds of the sale of these 
lands, and the east the other half We, in the west, agreed 
among ourselves that a penitentiary should be erected with our 
half of the money arising as above stated ; and the east agreed 
to improve the country in their vicinTty with the other half. 
A majority of the General Assembly agreed to this equitable 
division, and it was also enacted by the legislature, that the 
penitentiary should be located at Alton; Governor Bond, Gers- 



MY OWN TIMES. 1/3 

ham Jane, and William P. McKee, were the commissioners to 
select a site; and on the east, the Cash River Bottoms — Purgatory- 
Swamp — as it was called, nearly opposite to Vincennes, on the 
Great Wabash River, and other localities, should be improved. 

In, the legislature much opposition was made by Governor 
Edwards and his friends to the arrangement, but McLean, 
Thomas Reynolds, myself, and various other persons, carried 
the measure through, which established the penitentiary system, 
and which was, with me, my main measure in the General As- 
sembly. I proposed the site at Alton. 

I was, when I was Governor of the State, on my earnest 
solicitation, appointed by law one of the directors, and the 
power was conferred on me as Governor, by law, to appoint 
four other directors to build the penitentiary and to establish 
the system throughout — our labors succeeded admirably well, 
and the plan and management of the whole concern is in a 
manner adapted to the improved and enlightened age of the 
country. I have never performed a public service that has 
afforded me more satisfaction than my efforts to aid in estab- 
lishing the penitentiary, and to adapt the laws to the system. 
It is too brutal and barbarous to whip, crop, and brand a man 
in the pillory, it it can be avoided. But one single other 
amendment do our laws require, and that is to abolish capital 
punishment, and confine the convicts for murder, during life, in 
a dungeon. Intelligence and the age of progress will in a few 
years carry out the system, and then we will prevent an igno- 
rant and debased rabble from rushing in thousands to see a 
human being hung. 

Governor Edwards brought before the people, in the canvass 
for Governor, the malpractices of the bank directors of the State 
Bank, particularly the board at Edwardsville, of which Governor 
Kinney was president, and Senators lies, Beaird, and many other 
honest and intelligent gentlemen, directors. Theophilus W. 
Smith had been cashier for several years, but was then judge of 
the supreme court. At the first session of the General As- 
sembly, after he (Edwards) was elected governor, he made a 
general sweeping charge against the whole board and cashier, 
for mismanagement and malpractices. The friends of the Gov- 
ernor, and the public generally, considered these charges to be 
at least very imprudent and badly timed. It was true that al- 
though Governor Edwards possessed great talents, and a florid, 
profuse, and flowing eloquence, that he was not gifted with pru- 
dence or tact. His object was correct to ferret out corruption, 
and perhaps some of the board were guilty, or the cashier, but 
then a sweeping charge' against the honest as well as the dis- 
honest could not succeed. He was, during all his administration 
unpopular with the general assemblies, and in the minority 
with them all the time. 



174 MY OWN TIMES. 

These charges against the bank-directors created much excite- 
ment in the General Assembly, and in the country also. A 
committee was appointed on the subject, and weeks of investi- 
gation ensued. The whole case was referred to the House of 
Representatives, and all the board were finally acquitted — 
cashier and all. 

This proceeding on the part of Governor Edwards may have 
done good to deter unprincipled men from committing malprac- 
tices in office in future. I opposed the charges on the ground 
that I knew some of the board to be as honest, good men as 
ever existed — and to see them crushed in the general sweep- 
ing judgment that was required, I considered was not just or 
right, and, moreover, be the charges true or false, no proof or 
evidence was made to sustain them. 



CHAPTER LXIV. 

Re-organization of the Judiciary. — Revision of the Statute-Laws. — De- 
fining the Instruction of the Court to the Jury. — The Selection ol 
Juries. — The Viva Voce Election in the Legislature. — Resolution 
Recommending Andrew Jackson for President. 

The subject of the Judiciary was an exciting topic in the 
legislature of 1826-27. Nine judges, gentlemen of character 
and standing, all present during the session of the General As- 
sembly, and all working with great industry against the repeal 
of the circuit-court system, made it a difficult matter with the 
legislature to carry out the will of the people of the State. The 
judiciary established in 1825, was extremely unpopular, and 
many of the members of this present General Assembly were 
elected on this question. The four supreme-court judges had 
not much services to perform, and in many sections of the State 
the circuit courts were not popular. The opposition of the 
judges delayed the action of the legislature for some time, but 
at last the law was passed and the new system organized. The 
circuit judges were all repealed out of office, and the four su- 
preme judges were required to hold all the circuit courts. Tjjjie 
circuit-court judges protested against the passage oT the law, 
but public opinion settled down in favor of the change. Al- 
though I was acting under no pledge, yet I exerted myself, un- 
caring of party friends, for the repeal of the circuit-court judges 
out of office, and was influenced in my action by the poverty of 
the State. Four judges, almost without any duties to perform, 
and receiving a salary, induced me to act in the premises. 

The General Assembly raised the salary of the judges of the 
supreme court from eight hundred to one thousand dollars /^r 
anmim. 

Another measure this General Assembly carried out which 



MY OWN TIMES. 1/5 

redounded much to the character of this body was a partial 
revision of the statute-laws of the State. It will be remembered 
that the previous legislature required the judges of the supreme 
court to make and report to the present General Assembly a 
complete code of the statute-laws of the State, in accordance 
with which Judges Lockwood and Smith reported many wise 
and wholesome bills to the present legislature. The members 
of the General Assembly also exerted their best talents and 
energies to revise the statute-laws, and a volume containing up- 
wards of three hundred and eighty pages of the revised laws of 
the State was the result of the joint labors of the judges and 
the General Assembly. This code of laws presents, so far as it 
extends, the best system that ever existed in the State. This 
volume was printed in 1827 by Robert Blackwell, the public 
printer, at Vandalia, and contains a code of laws that has never 
been surpassed in the State. 

I recollect the labor that was expended on the revision of 
these laws. Messrs. David Blackwell, Pugh, Thomas Reynolds, 
George Churchill, myself, and many others of the House of 
Representatives, worked day and night on these laws. If 
nothing more, this effort of the General Assembly leaves a 
lasting monument of the talents and energy of that body. 

It is due also to truth to record that Judges Lockwood and 
Smith contributed greatly to the result of this excellent revised 
code. Many private individuals, who were sound lawyers and 
statesmen, also added much to the work, but it was at last the 
General Assembly that possessed the sound and discreet judg- 
ment to enact this code of laws. 

Judge Lockwood, with great care and labor, and with a sound 
judgment, and acute discrimination, drafted and reported the 
criminal Jurisprudence of the State. This code is a standard 
work, and will for ages remain a monument of the sound judg- 
ment and talents of the author. Legislation has scarcely ever 
touched it since it came from the hands of the author, and it is 
considered by all intelligent men who have examined it, a 
standard and philosophic system of criminal jurisprudence. 
The General Assembly that enacted it, as far as I recollect, 
adopted the law as reported by Judge Lockwood, without any 
alteration or amendment whatever. The next General Assem- 
bly completed the revision of the laws. 

At this Legislature was enacted the law to restrain the judges 
of the circuit courts from charging the petit juries on facts, and 
commenting on the evidence submitted to them. The practice 
had been commenced for courts to make speeches to the juries, 
as they considered the law and justice required them to do 
without being asked for instructions. 

I think the court has no power to interfere with the province 
of the jury, and is not bound to charge them as to the law of 



iy6 MY OWN TIMES. 

the case on trial, except when one or both of the parties require 
it. 

The practice act of 1827, declares that the circuit courts in 
charging the juries shall only instruct as to the law of the case. 
I brought this subject before the legislature as it was passed. 

In the General Assembly of 1847, Mr. Linder, of Coles 
County, brought this same subject before that body, and I 
advocated with him the passage of a law strong in its terms 
against the judges of the circuit courts addressing the juries. 
This last act says that the instructions must be "in writing," 
and that the court has no power to write, make, or modify 
them. The parties themselves, and not the courts, write and 
prepare the instructions, and all the court has power to do in 
the premises, is to give them or refuse them, by writing the 
same on the margin of the written instructions. The court 
shall not "qualify, modify, or in any manner explain the same 
to the jury." This act was passed the 25th of February, 1847, 
and is in my opinion a good law. 

In the administration of the laws, the juries, grand and petit, 
are very important. In 18 19, I drafted the bill which was passed 
on the subject of the juries. This act has been revised and 
improved, but the substance of it remains the law to this day. 
I witnessed, in my practice in the courts before this act was 
passed, that the sheriffs possessed the power to summon what 
jurors they pleased. This gave these officers unbounded power 
in the administration of the laws, and on many occasions good 
jurors could not be summoned on the spur of the occasion. 

The act of 18 19 required the county court to select from the 
tax-book twenty-four petit jurors to attend the court, and also 
a grand jiJry of twenty- three good and lawful men. This 
method enables the county courts to select the proper jurors. 

In the general assembly of 1827, I introduced a resolution, 
which passed, requiring the elections in the legislature to be 
viva voce, and to record each vote given. I presented a similar 
one in the House of Representatives of the Congress of 1835, 
which passed that body. It certainly is proper to record the 
votes on elections in legislative bodies, as the members are not 
voting for themselves but for their constituents, who may want 
to see how their representatives vote. 

In the early part of this legislature. Colonel A. P. Field intro- 
duced a resolution into the House of Representatives recom- 
mending Andrew Jackson to the people for the next presidency, 
and it passed — 19 votes for it, and 11 against it — some of the 
members were absent. I voted for this resolution, although it 
is doubtful whether such subjects come within the legitimate 
province of the general assembly. This general assembly 
established the principle of the election of judicial officers by 
the act authorizing the election of the justices of the peace and 



MY OWN TIMES. I'J'J 

constables. It was supposed at the time to be doubtful if the 
judicial officers ought to be elected by the people. 

This legislature created the counties of Tazewell, Perry, 
Shelby, and Joe Davis, and after a session of seventy- eight 
days, and the passage of one hundred and forty-three acts, they 
adjourned. 



CHAPTER LXV. 

The Winnebago War. — Cause of the War. — The Whites Alirmed. — 
General Dodge and Samuel Whiteside Command Companies. — 
General Atkinson takes Red Bird, the Winnebago Chief. — Colonel 
Neal Commands a Regiment. 

About the last of July, 1827, the Winnebago war occurred 
in the country around and north of Galena, in this State. The 
cause of this small speck of war was a great outrage committed 
by the whites on the Indians, which was of such brutality that 
it is painful to record. 

Two keel-boats of the contractor to furnish provisions for the 
troops at the falls of St. Anthony, stopped at a large camp of 
the Winnebago Indians, on the river not far above Prairie du 
Chien. The boatmen made the Indians drunk — and no doubt 
were so themselves — when they captured some six or seven 
squaws, who were also drunk. These squaws were forced on 
the boats for corrupt and brutal purposes. But not satisfied 
with this outrage on female virtue, the boatm-en took the squaws 
with them in the boats to Fort Snelling, and returned with 
them. When the Indians became sober, and knew the injury 
done them in this delicate point, they mustered all their forces, 
amounting to several hundred, and attacked the boats in which 
the squaws were confined. The boats were forced to approach 
near the shore in a narrow pass of the river, and thus the 
infuriated savages assailed one boat, and permitted the other to 
pass down in the night. The boatmen were not entirely pre- 
pared for the attack, although to some extent they were 
guarded against it. They had procured some arms and were on 
the alert to some degree. The Indians laid down in their 
canoes, and tried to paddle them to the boat, but the whites 
seeing this, fired their muskets on them in the canoes. It was a 
desperate and furious fight, for a few minutes, between a good 
many Indians exposed in open canoes, and only a few boatmen, 
protected to some extent by their boat. One boatman, a sailor 
by profession on the lakes and ocean, who had been in many 
battles with the British during the war of 18 12, saved the boat 
and those of the crew who were not killed. This man was large 
and strong, and possessed the courage of an African lion. He 
12 



178 MY OWN TIMES, 

seized a part of the setting-pole of the boat, which was about 
four feet long, and had on the end a piece of iron which made 
the pole weighty, and a powerful weapon in the hands of 
"Saucy Jack," as this champion was called. It is stated that 
when the Indians attempted to board the boat, Jack would 
knock them back into the river as fast as they approached. 
The boat got fast on the ground, and the whites seemed 
doomed, but with great exertion, courage, and hard fighting, the 
Indians were repelled. 

The savages killed several white men and wounded many 
more, leaving barely enough to navigate the boat. It is said 
that Jack had four Indian scalps which he took from the same 
number of Indians he killed himself In the battle, the squaws 
escaped to their husbands, and no doubt the whites did not try 
to prevent it. 

Thus commenced and thus ended the bloodshed of the Winne- 
bago war. No white man or Indian was killed before or after 
this naval engagement. 

The Winnebagos were incensed at the intrusion of the 
whites on their lands in the search of minerals, and the Govern- 
ment of the United States was insulted by an attack the 
Winnebagos made on some Chippewa Indians, who were in the 
protection of the United States at the time by a treaty. It 
is said that eight Chippewas were killed by the Winnebagos. 

The American population, miners, amounting to thousands 
around Galena, under these circumstances were greatly alarmed, 
and the whole mining country was filled with a kind of panic. 
The inhabitants were scattered all over the country without 
arms or any other means of defence, so that a general alarm 
seized on the people. A goodly number of forts were hastily 
erected and the militia organized. 

Some difficulty occurred between General Samuel Whiteside 
and General Dodge as to the command of the troops, but the 
matter was settled by both being elected captains of companies. 
Captain Whiteside, with his company of cavalry, ranged over 
the country north of Galena and Wisconsin River, in the coun- 
try of the Winnebagos, and struck the Mississippi above Prairie 
du Chien. 

The Federal Government ordered General Atkinson, with 
seven hundred regular soldiers and General Dodge's company, 
to demand of the Winnebago nation the murderers of the Chip- 
pewas. Atkinson proceeded into the heart of the nation, made 
a treaty, and received Red Bird and other braves from the 
Winnebagos. 

As soon as it could be organized. Governor Edwards ordered 
out a regiment of mounted troops, to march to Galena and 
enter into the Winnebago war. The Governor appointed 
General Thomas M. Neal colonel of the regiment. The troops 



MY OWN TIMES. I79 

were raised out of the counties of Morgan and Sangamon, and 
marched under Colonel Neal to Galena. When this fine regi- 
ment arrived at Galena, the war had closed and they were not 
needed. 

The force of the Americans, together with the bravery of the 
United States army, going into the midst of the Winnebago 
nation, subdued the spirit of the Indians, which prevented any 
further difficulty between the two races. 

Many ludicrous and laughable stories are told in relation to 
this war. It was stated that a chase was indulged in between 
two parties of whites. One party supposed the other to be 
Indians and run, while the supposed Indians ran after their 
comrades to undeceive them. It is said that this race extended 
for miles over the prairies and timber in the mining country. 

In a few months this war closed, and the mining operations 
were resumed. 



CHAPTER LXVI. 

The Author Practises Law. — Party Spirit. — Joseph Duncan Elected to 
Congress, and the Author to the State Legislature. — The Names of 
the Members of the General Assembly. — Joint Committee to Revise 
the Statutes. — School Land Sold. — Common Schools. — Canal Com- 
missioners. 

The country continued to improve and the settlements to 
extend. The currency was sound and good, and the people 
exported more produce than heretofore. 

I continued the practice of the law, and attended the courts 
in Monroe, St. Clair, Madison, Green, Pike, Morgan, and Sanga- 
mon Counties, when the courts did not clash, and oftener in the 
Supreme Court. 

The country moved on in an even tenor toward its high des- 
tiny, and nothing occurred worthy of remark, except that the 
political parties raged with great bitterness and fury. 

About this time, in 1828, the parties known as the Whigs and 
Democrats were formed in Illinois, and operated with great 
venom and rage against one another. The presidential election 
was to take place in November between Andrew Jackson and 
John Q. Adams, and the whole State was agitated throughout 
by the canvass. 

For Congress, Joseph Duncan, the present member in Con- 
gress, and George Forquer were the candidates. Duncan was 
elected at the August election of that year by a large majority. 
In truth, a large majority of the State were Democratic, and all 
candidates for almost any office succeeded on that question. 

In the county of St. Clair, Risdon Moore was elected to the 



l8o MY OWN TIMES. 

Senate, and William G. Brown and myself to the House of 
Representatives — all warm supporters of Jackson. 

I entered this general assembly as I had the last, without any 
pledges or restraints whatever. I only was, and am yet, an 
humble member of the Democratic party. John McLean, of 
Gallatin County, was again elected speaker of the House with- 
out any opposition, and Governor Kinney, as lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, presided over the Senate. 

The senators in the General Assembly were Messrs. Archer, 
Gard, Alexander, Job, Conway, Casey, Hunsaker, lies, Kitchell, 
Beach, Moore, Jr., McHenry, Will, Crawford, Carhn, Ross, 
McLaughlin, and McRoberts. 

The members of the House of Representatives were Messrs, 
Turney, Cartwright, Pugh, Elkins, May, Green, Allen, Rattan, 
Churchill, Jones, Reynolds, Brown, Lemen, Mather, Menard, 
Black, Prentice, Carrogan, Kimmel, Field, Whitaker, Whiteside, 
Dement, Hall, McLean, Prince, Jennings, Eubanks, Stewart, 
Slocum, Bell, Murray, Gilham, Alexander, Shillody, and Ives. 

At the commencement of the session, I introduced a joint 
resolution to raise a joint committee of both Houses to act 
together to finish the revision of the laws, which was not com- 
pleted by the previous legislature. It passed, and Messrs. 
McRoberts, Alexander, and Kitchell, were appointed on the 
part of the Senate, and Messrs. May, Churchill, Bell, Turney, 
and myself, on the part of the House. This committee held 
their sessions together, and labored incessantly in the perform- 
ance of their important work — the completion of the revision of 
all the statute-laws of the State. The committee employed gen- 
tlemen "learned in the law" to assist in the revision, and 
reported to the general assembly a revision of the laws which, 
together with the volume of the previous legislature, made a 
good code of statutory law for the State. The act relative to 
wills and testaments was drafted by Judge R. M. Young, which 
presents a system on this subject that has remained to the pres- 
ent day, without any material alteration or amendment. This is 
the best evidence of its correctness, and the wisdom and talents 
of its author. This volume contains almost two hundred and 
fifty pages, and has, with the volume of the previous legislature, 
made the foundation of the present excellent statutory laws of 
the State of Illinois. I was chairman of the committee, and 
exerted all my humble abilities in the performance of the work. 
I believe Illinois is blest with as equitable and just a system of 
statute -laws as is found in perhaps any other of the States, 
except Louisiana. 

At this session of the legislature, 1829, the school and sem- 
inary lands were ordered to be sold, and the proceeds loaned at 
a high interest. It is doubtful if this policy was good, as the 
lands in the State have increased so much in value since that 



MY OWN TIMES. l8l 

time, and moreover, the land was a better security for the fund, 
than any other. I recollect well my policy at that day. I 
urged that we, the pioneers, who settled the country first, had 
strong claims on the school-fund to educate the rising genera- 
tion of the present time, in 1826 and 1828; and that the 
children were advancing in years, and that if they did not then 
receive the benefits of the fund, in a few years they would rise 
into maturity without an education. This policy prevailed, and 
the lands were sold for the immediate support of schools. la 
all my public and private actions, I have labored all in my 
power to advance education, particularly among the masses. 
The common -school system is the most difficult, and at the 
same time the most important subject, that was ever attempted 
in Illinois. All agree on the general principles, but in the 
detail, all frequently disagree to such an extent that a general 
system has never been established to this day, wherein all 
agree. The immigrants have such a difference of opinion on the 
subject, that laws could not be enacted to please the masses. 
It is being attempted at this time to lecture, and inform the 
people on this subject, so that a proper system of education 
may be established. 

Man is the most incomprehensible being in existence, except 
his Maker. Parents will labor, and suffer almost martyrdom 
for their children — provide support, lands, and houses for them, 
and neglect their education, which is the most important of all 
considerations. The masses expend more, ten times over, for 
drink and the use of tobacco, than would give their children 
good educations. 

The counties of Macoupin and Macon were established at 
this session of the general assembly. 

At this session, in 1829, the act of the general assembly 
passed, authorizing more effectually the construction of the 
canal connecting the lakes with the Illinois River. I supported 
this law, and under it Governor Edwards appointed three canal 
commissioners. Charles Dunn, Gersham Jane, and Edmond 
Roberts, were the commissioners appointed. Mr. Dunn was a 
good lawyer, and was afterwards appointed a United States 
judge in Wisconsin Territory. Mr. Roberts was a respectable 
merchant of Springfield, and Gersham Jane was an eminent 
physician, and a gentleman of sound, practical sense, also of 
Springfield. This board organized, and did all in their power 
to advance the work, but the funds were not supplied, and the 
advancement of the canal was limited. 

It would require volumes to record the transactions of these 
legislatures, and of my humble labors in them, but it was my 
course of conduct in these two sessions of the general assembly 
that indiiced my friends, without any solicitation, to offer me as 
a candidate for governor. I was urged not particularly by the 



l82 MY OWN TIMES. 

politicians to offer, but by reasonable and reflecting men, more 
to advance the interest of the State than my own. My friends 
knew the party who would oppose me, and they considered that 
the government of the State would be safer and better adminis- 
tered by our party than the opposite. 



CHAPTER LXVII. 

The European Immigration in Illinois. 

The first colony of Europeans who formed a settlement in 
Illinois were Irish, and located on the Ohio River in 1804 or 
1805. Samuel O'Milvany was considered the founder. I pre- 
sume this colony contained eight or ten families, and had been 
settled in the United States before they located in Illinois. 
The English colony, that settled in the Wabash country, was 
the next. 

Morris Birkbeck, who was a man of letters and scholastic 
attainments, visited Illinois soon after the war of 1812, and 
wrote sketches of the country. His writings did the country 
service, by making the advantages of Illinois known abroad. 

In 18 1 5, and the following years, a large colony — Birkbeck, 
Flowers, Pickering, and two or three hundred families — consist- 
ing of almost all the avocations of life, from England, located 
within the limits of the present county of Edwards. A great 
many in this colony were intelligent and w^ealthy men. It is 
probable that no European colony every came to Illinois at any 
one time with as great numbers and as much wealth as this one 
did. Birkbeck was the founder, and lived to see the fruits of 
his enterprise prosper and flourish. He was an author of con- 
siderable merit, and wrote many useful works. He was at 
one time secretary of State under Governor Coles. He was 
drowned about the year 1828, in a small stream called Fox 
River, near the Wabash River. His untimely death was much 
regretted by his friends and the public. 

About the same period, a very small colony of Germans — at 
first only two families, Germain and Markee — settled in a gorge 
of the Mississippi Bluff, in St. Clair County, not far from the 
French village, which location was called the "Dutch Hollow." 
This settlement was the nucleus of the great German population 
of St. Clair County. I presume at this day there are eighteen 
or twenty thousand German inhabitants in St. Clair County. 
Madison, Monroe, and Randolph Counties also contain many 
Germans. 

In 18 17, Thomas Winstanley, Bamber, ThrelfaH, Coop, 
Newsham, and others, amounting to fifteen or twenty families, 
from Lancashire County, England, settled on the Prairie du 



MY OWN TIMES. 183 

Long Creek; in Monroe County, and many more families have 
teen added to the colony since its commencement. This 
colony erected a church, and sustains a Roman Catholic priest. 
The settlement is flourishing and doing well. 

Hobson, and many other English immigrants, settled within 
the limits of Green County in 1820, and are also doing well. 

• In 1 8 19, Ferdinand Earnst, a man of literary attainments 
and much merit, settled at the new seat of government, 
Vandalia, and located with him a colony of Germans, from 
Hanover, consisting of twenty -five or thirty families. Mr, 
Earnst was a gentleman of wealth, and established a store and 
hotel in his new residence. These Germans were industrious 
and prudent citizens, occupying their time and attention with 
their own business. 

A colony from Switzerland established themselves on a beau- 
tiful location in the south-eastern part of St. Clair County, in 
1822. Bernard Steiener was the founder, and was an individual 
of some energy and competency. Part of this colony occupied 
an eminence, which, for its beauty and commanding prospect, 
cannot easily be surpassed. It was called "Dutch Hill," which 
name it has retained to this day. I presume the colony at first 
contained between thirty and forty souls, but at this day, other 
Germans are added to it, until it is now a large and dense 
settlement of the Teutonic race. 

For the last fifteen or twenty years, the Norwegians have 
been colonizing the north-eastern section of the State, and are 
now numerous in the region between Lake Michigan and the 
Mississippi River. 

In the county of Monroe, two or three hundred Irish families 
occupy the south-eastern section of that county. They did not 
immigrate in a mass, but located by families, or groups, in this 
region. They are generally industrious people, and have 
erected a fine Catholic Church — which denomination of religion 
they profess. This settlement commenced about the year 1844, 
and is prosperous and flourishing. 

In Mercer County, a small colony of Swedes is established, 
and seems to bid fair to succeed well. They located there 
within six or eight years past, and have within themselves the 
elements — mechanics, laborers, clergymen, and others — to sus- 
tain the colony on their own resources. 

Within a few years, a large and respectable colony of French, 
from the frontiers between France and Germany, near the 
Rhine, have located within the county of Jasper, and are pro- 
gressing and flourishing with the rise of the State. They have 
turned their attention considerably to stock-farming — which has 
added much wealth to their coffers. 

Within six or eight years, colonies of Portuguese have been 
established in Illinois, one in Springfield, and another in Jack- 



l84 MY OWN TIMES. 

sonville. I presume the whole would amount to five or six 
hundred souls. They were exiled from the island of Madeira, 
and are now enjoying their Protestant religion, for which they 
were banished from their native land. They are innocent, 
harmiless, and .industrious people. They enjoy pulpit services 
in their own language, and worship in the manner which is the 
most pleasing to the Supreme Being, as they may conceive. 

Several French colonies from Canada have located in the 
county of Kankakee, in this State, and are doing well. They 
have settled here within eight or ten years and are increasing. 
They are Roman Catholics and sustain several churches. 

In all the large cities and towns of Illinois, Europeans, mostly 
German and Irish, have located to a considerable number with- 
in the last fifteen or twenty years, and in some localities the 
numbers far exceed that of the native Americans. The census 
of 1850, taken by the General Government, reports the foreign 
population of Illinois to be 110,593 souls; and from foreign 
countries in these numbers, are persons from England, 18,628; 
from Ireland, 27,786; Scotland, 4661; Wales, 572; Germany, 
38,160; France, 3396; Spain, 70; Switzerland, 1635; and 
smaller numbers from other nations. The native population 
of the United States, located in the State of Illinois, amounts, 
to 740,877. The above shows the relative population, natives 
and foreigners, in Illinois, in 1850, to be about one foreigner 
to every seven native Americans, 

CHAPTER LXVIII. 

The Canvass for Governor of the State between Governor Kinney and 
the Author. 

I decided in the Legislature of 1828-9, that I would present 
myself for something higher than an office in the general as- 
sembly, or quit public employment altogether. And in the 
summer of 1828, I could have been elected to the senate as 
well as the lower house, but one session more was all I in- 
tended to remain in the legislature. 

During the session of the General Assembly of 1828-9, the 
conservative and reflecting members of the assembly, and 
others from the different sections of the State, spoke to me, 
and of me, to become a candidate for governor of the State in 
1830. My course in the legislature for two sessions, and life 
and habits generally, induced the leading characters all over the 
State, to solicit me to offer as a candidate for Governor. A 
great portion of these friends of mine took this conservative 
course, as they knew Governor Kinney would be the candidate 
of the furious u/ira-] ackson party, that would govern the State 
with a rod of iron, as to party rage and proscription. Pro- 



MY OWN TIMES. 185 

scription for opinion's sake had just commenced, and was only 
popular with the extreme ////;'rt-politicians. Judge McRoberts 
had commenced it by turning Joseph Conway out of the office 
of clerk of the circuit court of Madison County, and it was very 
unpt)pular with a majority of the calm reflecting part of com- 
munity. 

Governor Kinney had been to the city of Washington at the 
inauguration of General Jackson, 4th of March, 1829, and had 
considerable agency at the federal city, in the proscription 
visited on the Whigs of Illinois. It was said he remarked, that 
the Whigs should be whipped out of office "like dogs out of a 
meat house." 

At this time the State was in a rage and fury of party spirit, 
and Governor Kinney, a popular, talented man, having also, and 
his friends, the patronage of the General Government under their 
control, it looked like an impossibility to succeed over him. He 
and friends deemed it a matter of presumption and folly for me 
to oppose him. I knew well all this. I also knew that I had 
always been a consistent warm supporter of Jackson, and I had 
also the friendship of the masses to secure them for me. I en- 
joyed the decided friendship of a large majority of the judges of 
the courts, and the lawyers, who wielded an immense power all 
over the State. I had served in the war, and in this election 
they gave me the sobriquet of the "Old Ranger." My opponent 
was not out in defence of the country, and although a small 
matter, yet it had an effect in the election. I had the reflecting 
and conservative influence of the State to support me; but the 
other party enjoyed the energetic, ultra-iwnows, Jackson-party, 
with the power and influence of the most popular administration 
of the General Government as heretofore stated. I was equally 
the friend of Jackson and his administration, but had little or 
no credit or standing by it, with the ?^//r<^-Jackson party. The 
Whigs generally voted for me as a second-choice, as they said, 
in preference to Kinney. 

Under these circumstances, the canvass commenced early in 
the winter of 1829. I was announced in the principal papers 
at the seat of government to that effect. Still, before I was 
announced, my friends who were also not unfriendly to Gov- 
ernor Kinney, and his z^///-«-party, advised with them not to 
give the "Old Ranger" the "cold shoulder," and opposition, as 
they did, because he and party could combine strength enough 
in the State to defeat the Jiltra and prescriptive party, at the 
head of which the Lieut. -Governor was acting. They did not 
believe it, but treated me as "an outsider," too mild, and not 
enough jdtra. I would not be used in the unreasonable and 
ttltra-^oxV. that many of the Jackson-party wanted to pursue at 
that day. They wished me to labor for them, and they reap 
the harvest. I set up for my party and self, which gave to 



l86 MY OWN TIMES. 

many members of the Jackson-party great offence. I considered 
my course right then, and do yet; that was to place so far as I 
was able, the Democratic party, or the Jackson-party of that day, 
on sound, reasonable principles, different from the other section 
of the party. Our opponents entertained the ultra, rabid, and 
proscribing spirit, while we were more calm and conservative; 
yet as firm and honest in the party as our opponents of the 
same party were. On these principles I was elected governor, 
and the progress of public affairs proved them to be right. 

Early in the spring of 1829, each party commenced operations. 
Governor Kinney repaired to the city of Washington, as above 
stated, to provide for his friends, and I to mingle with the 
people throughout the State. I attended the courts in every 
section of the country, and the judges and lawyers were gener- 
ally friendly with me, which gave me great strength in every 
county. 

At that day the State was poor, and but few public Journals 
existed in it. The Illhiois Intelligencer, edited by Judge Hall, 
and published at the seat of government, had a wide circulation 
and wielded considerable influence. This paper supported Gov- 
ernor Kinney warmly. On the other side, we had four papers. 
One at Shawneetown, ably edited by Col. Eddy, and one other 
at Kaskaskia, conducted with good ability, by Judge Breese. 
Another at Edwardsville, under the charge of the talented and 
efficient Judge Smith, and a fourth at Springfield, conducted by 
Messrs. Forquer, Ford, and others. These papers were edited 
by fine scholars, accomplished writers, and gentlemen of dis- 
tinguished abilities. Judge Hall, the friend of Governor Kin- 
ney, conducted his paper through the campaign with marked 
ability. The conductors of all these journals were finished and 
polished scholars. Colonel Eddy, of Shawneetown, possessed a 
sound judgment, and cultivated a particular knowledge of the 
party-politics of the day. This enabled his paper to do good 
service in the gubernatorial campaign. Judge Breese, of Kas- 
kaskia, was a profound and accomplished scholar. Nature had 
gifted him with great powers of intellect, which, combined with 
his fine scholastic education, made him the most, or, at least, one 
of the most scientific and powerful writers in the State. 

Judge Smith, of Edwardsville, was also a fine scholar, and an 
excellent writer. The same may be said of Messrs. Forquer 
and Ford, of Springfield. Ford then, even in his youth, wielded 
an able and efficient pen. 

The Miners'" Journal was established in Galena in 1827, by 
James Jones, and it gave me its support. 

Judge Hall, whose paper, the Intelligencer, had almost as 
much circulation as all the other journals, was acknowledged to 
be one of the most scientific and polished writers in the State, 
or in the West; and he poured out continual streams of red-hot 
lava from his press that I felt on many occasions. 



MY OWN TIMES. 187 

I traversed every section of the State, and knew well the 
character of the people. All my editorial friends, and others, 
had the utmost confidence in my knowledge of the people, and 
when I suggested any policy to be observed in their papers or 
handbills, either refuted or published, these suggestions were 
exactly carried out as I requested. This caused all acting in per- 
fect unison, which gave our cause great efficiency, acting under 
one single conductor. These writers had embarked their inter- 
rests with me, and we were either to rise or sink together, which 
caused us all to exert our utmost abilities to obtain the victory. 
The party excitement waxed exceedingly warm and bitter, and 
these papers flooded the country with the most exciting, fiery, 
and scathing handbills, as well as their ordinary issues. I would 
often meet my name appended to a handbill that I never saw 
before. My friends saw the necessity of such publications, and 
not knowing where to find me, signed my name to them. 

The first stump-speech I ever made on any occasion, was in 
Union County, in the fall of 1829, and in it I recollect, among 
other measures, I urged on the people the propriety of con- 
structing the Illinois and Michigan Canal. I was persuaded to 
mount the stump, as the people expected it. I did not like it. 
I made rather a clumsy performance as I considered it to be. 

Both myself and Governor Kinney addressed the people in 
public speeches, hundreds and hundreds of times, in this pro- 
tracted canvass. The people were so much excited, that meet- 
ings of the masses could be assembled at any time, and our 
mode was to give notice for weeks previous to a meeting. I 
have often addressed the people in churches, in court-houses, 
and in the open air, myself occupying literally the stump of a 
large tree. At times, also, in a grocery. 

Addresses known as "stump-speeches," received their name, 
and much of their celebrity in Kentucky, where that mode of 
electioneering was carried to great perfection by the great 
orators of that State. 

But to return to the "stump." A large tree is cut down in 
the forest, so that the shade may be enjoyed, and the stump is 
cut smooth on the top for the speaker to stand on. Sometimes, 
I have seen steps cut in them for the convenience of mounting 
them. Sometimes seats are prepared, but more frequently the 
audience enjoys the luxury of the green grass to sit and lie on. 

Often at these stump-speeches the ladies attended as well as 
the voters. It is much more difficult to make a stump-address 
than those who never attempted it believe. The orator must 
know what is right to propose as measures, and he must also 
make his speech interesting, or otherwise his efforts will be 
useless. This public discussion is the best for the people, but 
it is great labor for the speaker. In this canvass I was literally 
exhausted by speaking and other labors. My last speech I 



l88 MY OWN TIMES. 

made, was on the day of the election at Jacksonville, where a 
vast concourse of people attended. At no time did I say ought 
against my opponent, but on the contrary spoke well of him, 
as I had reason to do. I said that he was a natural great man, 
and that the abusive handbills teaming against him were wrong, 
and that I never circulated one, which was the truth. I ob- 
served that my friends were as free to act as I was in the can- 
vass, although I did not sanction these malignant circulars, yet 
I could not restrain them. This conciliatory course gained me 
votes. National politics and General Jackson entered largely 
into the discussions. My opponent and myself did very seldom 
meet at the same gathering of the people. I was in this can- 
vass the bcst-alniscd man in the State. In this campaign, that 
lasted nearly eighteen months, I used extraordinary exertion, 
as our party commenced vastly in the minority. Governor Kin- 
ney was also very active, and his friends still more energetic 
than mine, if possible. He possessed fine natural talents, and a 
fund of anecdotes that could not be surpassed. He used wit, 
humor, and ridicule to great advantage in his conversation and 
public addresses. His position as a clergyman was a great 
drawback on him, and almost all the Christian sects, except his 
own — the anti-missionary regular Baptists, opposed him. The 
support of the religious people was not so much for me, but 
against him. He made unguarded expressions as well as I did, 
that injured us both, as expressions were caught up and dis- 
torted on both sides. He was represented to have said that the 
Methodists were like the blacksmith's dogs, being used to the 
sparks of fire in the smith-shop, they could stand the brimstone- 
fire below. He opposed the canal, and said it would be the 
means of flooding the country with Yankees. These, and such 
like expressions, made him many enemies. 

It was reported on me, that I said I was as much for Jackson 
as any reasonable man should be. This expression lost me 
many votes, as the ?^//rrt -Jackson party were so exceedingly hot 
and bitter, that they supposed me too indifferent. 

Many jokes were told on me. One was, that I saw a "scare- 
crow," the effigy of a man, in a cornfield, just at dusk, and that 
I said: "How are you.-* how are you, my friend.'' won't you take 
some of my handbills, to distribute." Many other tales were 
told on me, and some true ones. 

The party rancor in the campaign raged so high that neigh- 
borhoods fell out with one another, and the angry and bitter 
feelings entered into the common transactions of life. The 
ladies were also enlisted in the contest, and many of them 
electioneered with great force and effect. 

It was the universal custom of the times to treat with liquor. 
We both did it, but he was condemned for it more than my- 
self, by the religious community, he being a preacher of the 
gospel. 



MY OWN TIMES. I89 

A great amount of money was bet on the election. I always 
was opposed to betting on elections, and for many years past 
have opposed gambling in any manner, but when my friends 
consulted me, as to what majorities they could give, I told them 
so rt^any hundreds and thousand votes, and not one bet was 
lost, as I recollect. I mention this to show the exact knowl- 
edge I had of the progress of the canvass. I gained this infor- 
mation by knowing well the people of the State. I was, and 
am yet, one of the people, and every pulsation of our hearts 
beats in unison. 

Many tricks were played on each by the other. One was, 
that Captain Mathew Duncan had his saddle-bags full of hand- 
bills for Governor Kinney, and put up at the hotel at Jackson- 
ville. Our party had their messengers there also with docu- 
ments for our cause. In the night, our friends took the Kinney 
handbills out of the saddle-bags of Duncan, and filled them 
with mine. Duncan distributed the wrong documents for 
several days, before he found out the trick. The country was 
crowded night and day, with bearers of handbills, and many 
were out to electioneer without any printed documents. 

The canvass wore me down to a mere skeleton, and I used 
up several horses during it. My friends waxed warmer than I 
did. They urged me to be among the people day and night, 
as they considered I could effect more with the people than any 
other of our party. I always enjoyed the utmost confidence of 
the masses, and could always advance our cause by appearing 
among them, no matter how bitter and strong the opposition 
may have been. At that day, the people themselves were con- 
sulted more than they are at the present. At this time, in 1855, 
party-conventions and party-discipline decide the elections, 
without giving the masses that power and strength in elec- 
tions which a free government and the constitution require. 

It is frequently stated by those who have no knowledge of 
the people, that a candidate will make speeches in a place to 
suit the people, and in another place different. This is untrue, 
for if a candidate did so, he could not succeed at all. The peo- 
ple are underrated in this respect. The opposition are always 
taking notes, and if different they would put down a man in a 
few weeks, as he should be. These silly statements are all un- 
founded. When there is a great excitement, every word and 
expression of the candidates, and even those of their intimate 
friends, are observed, and commented on. This makes it a 
matter of the highest moment for a candidate to be, as he should 
always be, extremely well guarded in his expressions. Gover- 
nor Kinney lost votes for want of attention to prudence. His 
unguarded expressions, as well as mine, were frequently ex- 
ceptionable. 

The Whigs of that day were not properly organized no more 



190 MY OWN TIMES. 

than the other party, and they were so weak that they pro- 
posed no candidate for the office, but made a choice between 
Kinney and myself. I think the majority of them supported 
me, saying that I was not their choice, but between two evils 
they would choose the least. Governor Kinney received the 
support of many influential Whigs, but I presume not so many 
as opposed him. I was said to be the "second choice" among 
the Whigs. 

The extraordinary excitement prevailing induced the par- 
tisans on both sides to spend great sums of money in the can- 
vass, but I think that our party expended more than the other. 

The majority for me was considerable, for the small popu- 
lation of the State at that time, twenty-five years ago. 

It is the perfection of the American people to calm down 
and become quiet and peaceable with one another directly after 
an election. In a few months after this contest was decided, 
the good sense of the people caused them to "forget and for- 
give" all previous bad feelings and bitterness, and amalgamate 
as one people for the general welfare of the whole. 

It may be considered vanity and frailty in me — but when I 
was elected Governor of the State, on fair, honorable principles, 
by the masses, without the intrigue or management of party- 
discipline or corrupt conventions, I deemed it the decided ap- 
probation of my countrymen on my conduct, and consequently 
a great honor. I had been raised in the country, before the 
eyes of my constituents, and that too in an humble and obscure 
situation. These circumstances made the generous confidence 
of the people more highly appreciated by me, and I still hold 
in my heart the liveliest feelings of graditude and friendship for 
the people of Illinois, but were I to live over again another life, 
I think I would have the moral courage to refrain from aspiring 
to any office within the gift of the people. I am fully satisfied, 
by both experience and mature reflection, that a person is happier 
as a private citizen than as any officer of the government what- 
ever. By no means do I believe a person should be sordid and 
selfish in all his actions, but it is his duty to advance the public 
interest all in his power; yet cannot a person be more useful to 
the public, if he possesses talents, in other situations than in 
office. -* A person who possesses the talents and qualifications to 
instruct and improve mankind, and uses them to that end, is the 
best friend to the human race. The principles of free govern- 
ment, established and promulgated by Jefferson, John Adams, 
Franklin, and others, did more service to mankind than their 
actions in public office could have achieved. The morals and 
ethics established and given to the world by Socrates, Plato, 
Confucius, Seneca, and Cicero, do the human family infinitely 
more service than any action of their authors in office could 
possibly have done. Moreover, a public officer may toil and 



MY OWN TIMES. I9I 

labor all his best days with the utmost fidelity and patriotism, 
and the masses, who reap the reward of his labors, frequently 
permit him, without any particular fault on his part, to live and 
die in his old age with disrespect. Witness the punishment in- 
flicted on Socrates, our Saviour, and many others, for no crime 
whatever; and witness, also, the punishment, not death, but dis- 
respect and neglect visited on many faithful public servants 
in the United States. Nevertheless, this contumely and disre- 
spect ought not to deter a good and qualified man from enter- 
ing the public service, if he is satisfied that the good of the 
country requires it. It is not the honor or applause of the 
people that should cause a person to act for the public, but a 
higher and more noble principle should actuate him, and that 
is, to advance the best interests of the nation without reference 
to himself In such cases, when the faithful public servant can 
look back and knows he has "acted well his part," his judgment 
and conscience will approve his conduct, and he is thereby a 
happy man, independent of the applause or attention of the 
people. He will experience, by acting it out, the happiness of 
doing good for evil. 

In this canvass was also elected a lieutenant - governor of 
the State. Two candidates only were before the people for 
this office, Zadok Casey and Rigdon B. Slocumb, and they are 
both gentlemen of excellent standing and character, and both 
are living, respectable monuments of pioneer-worth and merit. 
Mr. Slocumb, although he possessed a solid judgment and sound 
mind, had not practised public speaking, and did not indulge in 
it; nor did he leave his residence, to any great extent, during 
the canvass. Not so with Mr. Casey; he was active and made 
many speeches to the people. He was a natural orator, and 
his addresses always produced a favorable impression on the 
masses. He had been in the general assembly for many 
sessions, and had obtained in that body, and throughout the 
State, a marked and distinguished character as a man of talents 
and business habits. Although he had attended a log- cabin 
school in Tennessee only three months, yet by his own efTorts, 
and comprehensive mind, he had become an intelligent and a 
well-read man. He had at times occupied the pulpit, which 
gave him the habit of pulpit -speaking, which was eloquent 
and at times irresistable. He was modest, retiring, and unas- 
suming; with these qualities, and his activity in the canvass, he 
was elected, although he was on the ticket with Governor Kin- 
ney. Mr. Slocumb and myself were placed by our friends on 
the same ticket, and the others ran together generally. Being 
both preachers of the gospel, it injured their tickets, but the 
activity of Governor Casey, and his opponent remaining at 
home, decided the contest in his favor. 

Governor Casey, by his industry and business habits, together 



192 MY OWN TIMES, 

with the improvement of his mind, made a distinguished and 
efficient member of Congress for many years. He served on 
many important committees in Congress, and obtained a high 
and honorable standing and character in that body. His atten- 
tion to business, and punctuality in attending the sessions, were 
remarkable, and with these habits, and his sound mind and 
judgment, he was a worthy and highly respectable member of 
Congress. He possessed, in a decided manner, the tact and 
talent of a presiding officer over deliberative bodies. He pre- 
sided over the Senate, as Lieutenant-Governor, and the House 
of Representatives, as Speaker, with dignity and eclat. In 
Congress, also, he has often presided over the committees of 
the whole, with distinction, and the marked approbation of 
the public. 

CHAPTER LXIX. 

The Author's Administration of the Government of the State. — Friend- 
ship to Opponents. — The First Message. — Education. — Internal 
Improvements. — The Canal. — The Harbor at Chicago. — Improve- 
ment of the Rivers by Congress. — Penitentiary. — Public Lands. — 
The Judiciary. 

At the Gubernatorial election, August, 1830, as it hac been 
already remarked, the State was convulsed and torn to pieces 
by the bitter and furious excitement of the occasion but, when 
the cause ceased, the party excitement also commenced to sub- 
side. The papers eased off, and I attended the courts, as a 
lawyer, as I had before the election, when I had time. I was, 
as a matter of course, kind, conciliatory, and grateful to the 
people in my intercourse with them. I had much before me to 
accomplish to realize what the people expected, and what I 
really desired to do. My first object was to soften down the 
public mind to its sober senses. It has been my opinion of my 
humble self, that whatever small forte I might possess, one was 
to conciliate and soften down a turbulent and furious people. 
In the case before me, in 1830, I was determined to act in such 
a manner that neither my friends or myself would regret the 
choice of myself for governor. In the first place, I was deter- 
mined to act rigidly right, and to perform all my duties with 
mildness and in such a manner that they would be above 
exception or suspicion. It was my nature not to feel or appear 
elevated, or excited at my success; but I discovered that my 
appearance and deportment, at times, might look like affected 
humility or mock modesty, which I sincerely despise, and then 
I would straightcji up a little. I treated my opponents, and 
particularly Governor Kinney, with the utmost respect and 
good feeling. 



MY OWN TIMES. 193 

In order that my readers may know the general tenor of my 
administration, I give my first message entire: 

Fellow- Citizens of the Senate and Hon.se of Representatives : 

Being called by the voice of the people of this State to the 
highest office within their gift, it is with unfeigned distrust oi 
my own abilities, and with the deepest sense of the great 
responsibility of the station, that I enter upon the duties which 
their kind partiality has assigned me. In entering upon them, 
all I can promise is, a determination to do all in my power for 
the public good, and faithfully and honestly to exert myself for 
the general prosperity of the State. And it affords me great 
pleasure to congratulate the immediate representatives of the 
people, on their being assembled here at this time, and dele- 
gated for the same common object. With our cordial co-opera- 
tion, much good may be done, without which, little benefit can 
result from our labors. 

Before I perform my constitutional duty, in recommending 
such measures as may be deemed expedient, permit me to 
observe, that the condition of the people is prosperous and 
happy. Blessed with a fertile soil, and a healthy climate, in a 
region where nature has, with an unsparing hand, poured out 
her choicest blessings, our State is destined, at no distant day, 
to become one of the first in the confederacy. While we pos- 
sess such exuberance of soil and mineral riches, we can also 
justly claim a superiority over most of the States, in our com- 
mercial facilities, by means of our navigable lakes and rivers. 
In the north-east through Lake Michigan, an outlet is offered 
to the Northern markets. The Wabash River on the east, and 
the Ohio on the south, both forming common boundaries 
between us and the adjacent States, present the means of inter- 
communication with the North and South, while the Mississippi, 
washing for nearly seven hundred miles our western border, 
furnishes to the inhabitants, throughout the whole extent, great 
commercial advantages. Connected with these, our State is 
penetrated in almost every direction, with other large and 
navigable rivers. 

Such is the advantageous situation of this State, that for 
several years past a strong tide of immigration has flowed in 
upon us, bringing with it a hardy and enterprising poj^lation. 
No new State ever increased in its population faster than this 
has done. When admitted into the Union, about twelve years 
since, we had but little more than forty thousand inhabitants; 
now we can number more than one hundred and sixty thousand. 
By this vast increase of population, the State has been greatly 
improved in every particular. Its wilderness has been subdued, 
and thriving villages and cultivated farms are now scattered over 
almost its whole extent. The people are blessed with all the 
13 



194 *^IY OWN TIMES. 

benefits of a well-regulated society, and while those of other 
countries are suffering for some of the necessaries of life, we 
enjoy them in great abundance. How greatful ought we not to 
be to a kind Providence for such blessings? And how earnestly 
should we, by wholesome and salutary laws, endeavor still to 
improve our condition! 

With this general and brief view of our situation, I will now 
recommend to your consideration such measures as may require 
the action of your legislative body. In the whole circle of 
your legislation, there is no subject that has a greater claim 
upon your attention, or calls louder for your aid, than that of 
education. Whether viewed in relation to our free institutions 
of government, or in relation to the individual happiness of the 
people, no subject can more seriously engage your deliberations. 
Upon the mere mention of the subject, you will recognize all 
the advantages arising from it, and therefore will adopt such a 
system as our means, and the condition of the country, will 
justify. 

Congress has given us the means, by a wise course of legisla- 
tion in regard to them, to establish some system that will be 
highly beneficial. Besides the three-per-cent school-fund, now 
amounting to a considerable sum, we have the sixteenth section 
in every township of the public land, within the State, and two 
entire townships, for the purposes of education. Some of these 
lands, at this time, are unproductive, and from which no imn e- 
diate revenue can be realized. A proper appeal to the justice 
of Congress would, no doubt, eventuate in obtaining other lands 
in lieu of them. Therefore, I would suggest to your considera- 
tion the propriety of a memorial to Congress on the subject. 
It is clearly my opinion, that some of the avails of this fund 
ought to be used at the present time. The present inhabitants 
of the State have a better right to its benefits than those who 
may succeed us. They have suffered all the privations, dangers, 
and hardships, attendant upon the settlement of a new country, 
and are entitled, in common justice, to the favor of that country. 
Although the future race of people, and their interest, ought 
not to be overlooked in legislating on this subject, yet we ought 
more to regard the youth now growing up in our country, and 
to extend to them such aid and encouragement in the funda* 
mental. principles of education, as our means will justify. It is 
to them that the future fortunes of the State will be committed. 
They will direct its movements, control its politics, and guide 
its destinies. Therefore, it is all -important that they should 
be instructed, and that their intellectual growth should keep 
pace with their physical. 

The internal improvement of the country demands, and will 
receive, your particular attention. There cannot be an appro- 
priation of money, within the exercise of your legislative 



MY OWN TIMES, I95 

powers, that will be more richly paid to the citizens than that 
for the improvement of the country. An enlarged and enlight- 
ened policy, in regard to it, will advance, in the greatest degree, 
the honor, the prosperity, and the happiness of the country. 
There is no State, where nature more earnestly invites, than she 
does in this, the art of man to complete her work, or which 
promises, when completed, more benefits to mankind. I am 
satisfied that Congress possesses the constitutional power to 
devise, and carry into operation, a system of national improve- 
ments with the funds of the General Government. The appro- 
priation of money for these objects has become the settled 
policy of the Government, and I am in favor of its continuance. 
We have seen nothing but benefits result from it, and we cannot 
anticipate ttvils. It has been sustained by public opinion, and 
has gained on the affections of the people. It would be folly 
for us, who have so much to gain by the system, to throw 
obstacles in its way, but rather continue to give it, as we have 
heretofore done, our undivided support. There is a manifest 
difference between works of national and of local or State 
concern. One class of improvements falls within the action of 
the national, and the other within that of the State Govern- 
ment. 

The contemplated canal between the Illinois River and Lake 
Michigan, if we regard the mere location of it, being entirely 
within this State, is local, but if we regard the benefits result- 
ing from it to the whole nation, and as a connecting link to the 
great chain of inland -water communication between New-Or- 
leans and some of the Atlantic States, it is truly national. 
The extent of inland navigation, which will be opened when 
this canal is completed, will not be equalled in any country, and 
its benefits will be very generally and extensively felt. The 
political effect of all such works is also very apparent. They 
will bring, and bind more closely together, the various parts of 
the extended confederacy. The report of the canal commis- 
sioners will be laid before you, by which you will learn all the 
important facts connected with that great, and to us and the 
adjoining States, beneficial work. It is evident to my mind, 
that we have not the means within ourselves for its immediate 
completion. Nor is there any prospect for the speedy sale of 
the lands, granted by Congress, sufficient to prosecute the work. 
Some plan for raising a fund should be adopted, and if the 
legislature should be opposed to loaning money on a moderate 
interest, I would recommend an application to Congress to 
grant scri/>, receivable at the land - offices in this State in 
exchange for the lands heretofore granted and remaining 
unsold. This subject being presented to Congress in its pro- 
per light, there is no doubt the application will be successful. 

As the adjoining States of Indiana and Missouri have great 



196 MY OWN TIMES. 

interest in the speedy completion of this canal, I would recom- 
mend you to invite, respectfully, their attention to it, and ask 
their co-operation in a memorial to Congress on the subject. 

As connected with this subject, the improvement of the har- 
bor at Chicago is of the first importance. The power to regu- 
late commerce is exclusively vested in Congress. And it is all 
important to the success of that great interest that commodious 
harbors should be provided. This subject should be urged on 
the attention of Congress, and all reasonable means made use 
of to effect so desirable an object. 

The improvement of the navigation of the rivers adjoining, 
and within this State, will be the subject of your serious con- 
sideration. Those improvements which are local to our State 
will receive your fostering care, so far as our means will justify, 
without embarrassment to the people. And those that fall 
properly within the sphere of the operation of the General 
Government, will be presented to Congress for its consideration. 

The general good of the present and future population seems 
to require the permanent establishment of three public roads in 
this State, extending from its southern to its northern limits. 
One to commence on the Ohio River, near its junction with the 
Mississippi, and extending north, on the western side of the 
State, by the principal towns on the most direct route to 
Galena. Another to commence at Shawneetown, passing north 
through the centre of the State, to accommodate the present 
and future population, to the Lead Mines. And one other, to 
commence on the Wabash River, near its confluence with the 
Ohio, passing through the principal towns on the eastern side 
of the State, by Danville to Chicago, and thence to the Lead 
Mines. I would recommend that the roads be located by the 
authority of the State, and the counties through which they 
pass be required to keep them in repair, as other roads. And 
for the purpose of raising a fund to construct them, I would 
advise a petition to Congress to grant to this State, as a dona- 
tion, each alternate unappropriated section of land over which 
they pass. This would enhance the value of the adjoining land, 
and be serviceable to all concerned. 

I am aware that some of these roads may, probably, pass in 
the northern part of the State, over a section of country to 
which the Indian claim has not been extinguished. This 
Indian claim ought not, in my opinion, to prevent the State 
from exercising her sovereignty over it. These Indians, from 
their dependent and helpless condition, claim our commisera- 
tion and sympathy, but they cannot claim to exercise a 
sovereign independence, as a nation, within our limits, contrary 
to the rights of our State Government. 

There are many other roads in the State that equally deserve 
your attention. The road from Vincennes, through this State, 



MY OWN TIMES. I97 

to St. Louis, is much travelled, and will receive your legisla- 
tive care; so I might say of many others, which you will take 
into consideration. 

Throughout the State, there is discovered a general sentiment 
in favor of a penitentiary system. The opinion is received as 
correct, that solitary confinement to hard labor has gone farther 
to reform convicts, and make them useful members of societ}^ 
than any other system yet devised by the experience and 
wisdom of man. It will be for you to adopt such an one as 
you may consider suitable to the country. The commissioners 
appointed by the legislature have selected a very eligible site at 
Alton, in Madison County, and have obtained a donation from 
the proprietor of ten acres of land for the erection of the 
necessary buildings. They have, likewise, contracted for the 
building of twenty-four cells, which will be completed during 
the course of next season. Their report will be laid before 
you, from which you will learn all the necessary facts in rela- 
tion to it. I would advise the completion of this work with 
all convenient speed. Should there be a deficiency in means 
already provided, I would recommend a loan of money on a 
reasonable interest to enable the State to complete the work. 
It would be a saving to the State, in relieving the counties of 
an onerous burden. 

The improvement of the Salines in this State is a subject of 
no small concern to the people. Nature has been lavish in her 
bounties in this particular, and has placed it in our power to 
manufacture salt — an article of the first necessity to man — 
more than sufficient for our consumption. The manufacture of 
salt within ourselves should be encouraged by every reasonable 
legislative aid. All articles which are necessary for our use, 
and which we can raise, or manufacture within ourselves, should 
be protected from foreign competition by adequate duties. A 
system of protecting duties, on these articles, ought never to be 
abandoned. For, laying out of view the advantages of a home 
market, created thereby for our productions, it will render us in 
fact, what we are by right, an independent nation. 

In relation to our Salines, I would recommend you to adhere 
to the policy heretofore adopted, which is, to consider them not 
a branch of our revenue at this time, but to improve them by 
an expenditure of the proceeds, now derivable from them, so as 
to cause them to produce the greatest quantity of salt, and at 
the lowest possible price to the consumer. By this policy, 
money that would otherwise be sent out of the State for salt, 
would be kept at home and circulated among us. And that 
article can, also, by manufacturing it in the State, be obtained 
in exchange for the productions of the soil. 

The subject of the public land has, of late, been much dis- 
cussed among the people, and has excited the deepest interest. 



198 MY OWN TIMES. 

It is natural that it should be so, and that it should almost 
absorb every other. Whether we consider it in reference to our 
sovereignty and independence as a State Government, or in 
reference to the speedy settlement of the country, the subject 
is full of interest. Though I am satisfied that this State, in 
right of its sovereignty and independence, is the rightful owner 
of the soil within its limits, still I would not feel disposed to 
disturb the harmony that should exist among the several States 
in asserting that right. I am decidedly in favor, however, of 
having the attention of the nation awakened on this subject, 
for I am well satisfied that the more it is discussed the more 
clear will our right appear. Not yielding this right, and failing 
to have it recognized, I would then be in favor of a surrender 
to the State, on equitable terms, of these lands, and of address- 
ing a memorial to Congress on the subject. Failing in this, I 
would then urge upon Congress the ^propriety and expediency 
of reducing the price, and of making donations of land to actual 
settlers. 

Thus are represented to your consideration the several modes 
most likely to succeed in obtaining the desirable object — to 
settle and improve the country — and to extend the sovereignty 
of the State throughout its limits. I consider it our duty never 
to rest satisfied until we have obtained these desirable objects 
that seem to be so just and equitable. 

It seems to me, the citizens who served in the late war, in the 
defence of this frontier, whether enrolled in the service of the 
United States, or doing duty as volunteer militia- men, have a 
strong claim on the generosity of Congress for some remunera- 
tion in land for their suffering and service. The country was 
then but thinly populated, and almost surrounded by the 
enemy, and their whole time was devoted to its protection. 
No time was allowed to attend to their private concerns, and 
many of them now need the care of the Government. 

Without a well-organized judiciary system, all the laws that 
may be enacted will fail of their desired effect. Justice ought 
to be administered freely and without delay to every man, and, 
if possible, brought home to his own door. Under a proper 
administration of the laws, peace, order, and harmony will pre- 
vail and every citizen be protected in his rights. This is the 
case, so far as our system is complete. 

The last legislature established one circuit, which may be 
considered the foundation of the circuit-court system. In pro- 
portion as the population of the State increases, so ought this 
system to be augmented; and from my personal knowledge 
of the wants of the people and of the country, I am satisfied 
that it is necessary to increase them at the present session. 
The duties of the judges of the supreme court are now very 
laborious, and they will become more so as the population of 



MY OWN TIMES. I99 

the State increases, and new counties are erected. Yet, upon 
this subject, as on all others whereon expenditure of money is 
to be made, a strict regard to economy ought to be observed, 
but in all cases where there is a necessity for an office, allow the 
officer a liberal and competent salary. I do particularly advise 
the propriety of establishing two instead of one term of the 
supreme court annually. A delay of justice for one whole year 
is almost equal to a denial of it. 

The subject of our State Bank as connected with our revenue 
will necessarily occupy much of your time. The true policy is, 
in my opinion, to close the business of the bank so soon as a 
proper regard to the interest of the State will permit. This, 
too, ought to be done with as little oppression to the bank 
debtors as possible. Within a short time, all the paper of the 
bank will become payable. And although the bank policy was 
most ruinous to the State, and many of its citizens, and only 
benefited a few speculators, yet the State is in honor and 
honesty bound for its payment at the appointed time. The 
credit and character of the State are involved in the prompt 
payment of this claim, and I do most sincerely recommend 
you to sustain that character, which, no doubt, you will take a 
pleasure in doing, by providing adequate means. The warrants 
of the State ought not to be permitted to fall below par. 

The propriety of reducing the ratio of taxation, which is now 
so excessively high, is submitted to your consideration. The 
policy of prolonging the payment of our State debt, and 
thereby lowering the taxes, is a subject fit for your considera- 
tion. 

I cannot close this address, consistently with my feelings, 
without expressing to you, and through you to the people, my 
warm and sincere feelings of gratitude for their honorable confi- 
dence, which was lately bestowed upon me. This confidence 
shall not be abused. The office of Governor of the State was 
established for the good of the people, and not for the indi- 
vidual who may fill it. Therefore, I shall consider myself fill- 
ing that office for the general welfare of the whole State. My 
official care and patronage shall not be exclusively bestowed 
upon a few men, and on a particular section of the State, and 
proscribe the balance. Proscription, "for opinion's sake," is, 
in my opinion, the worst enemy to a republic. It is the birth- 
right of every freeman to express his political sentiments 
frankly and freely at the polls of an election, or elsewhere, 
without the hope of reward or the fear of punishment. There- 
fore, all those who honestly and Jionorably supported my 
respectable opponent, in the late election for governor, shall 
experience from me no inconvenience on that account. I will 
say, in the language of the patriot Jackson, that "the right of 
opinion shall suffer no invasion from me." And I confidently 



200 MY OWN TIMES. 

hope that the good people of Illinois will unite and harmonize 
together in a spirit of peace and good-will to one another, to 
promote the welfare of our common country, and to banish 
forever that monster, party- spirit, which does not spare the 
reputation of the living or the dead. 

This State is a constituent part of the national republic, and 
it is our duty, as well as it is our interest, to unite and support 
that republic, and its present administration, in all its republi- 
can measures, according to the principles of the Constitution. 
And for the general prosperity of the country, I supported 
President Jackson for the distinguished station which he now 
occupies, and having the fullest confidence in his talents and 
integrity to administer the government on republican principles,, 
I hope that he will consent to serve another presidential term. 

The union of the people of the several States forming the 
National Government, is the palladium of our political safety, 
and should be preserved at all hazards. Every attempt toward 
its dismemberment will be resisted by every good man. 

With the united exertions of the people for the good of the 
public, and with the blessings of Heaven, which I sincerely 
implore, we may confidently hope to be a great and happy 

^"t:.nber 8tk, 1830. J^^^ REYNOLDS. 



CHAPTER LXX. 

Continuation of the State Administration by the Author. — Mixture oi 
Party. — Election of Treasurer. — Prosecuting Attorneys. — Signs of 
the Black -Hawk War, — Counties formed. — Northern Boundary ot 
the State. — The Canal. 

The office of governor of a State, except it is held by extra- 
ordinary men, such as Jefferson and Patrick Henry, and a very 
few others, is a high-sounding and pompous position, without 
the power to do much good. 

I immediately discovered I could effect nothing in the legis- 
lature, in the office of governor, as I did as a member of the 
general assembly. I stated often to my friends, that in ordinary 
administration of the State government, a governor held the 
position of a chairman of a town meeting. The chairman kept 
order, put the questions, and declared the vote of the meeting, 
but he could not act in the assembly. The same with the gov- 
ernor of a State — he must see there is order preserved, the laws 
executed, recommend to the legislature, sign the laws and com- 
missions and keep a clear skirt on, but act none and vote none. 
But in times of war, and similar cases, then he is called upon to 
act, and often incurs great responsibility. 



MY OWN TIMES. 201 

The first session of the general assembly was excited and 
furious, as the members were elected in the heat of party ex- 
citement, and not enough of time had intervened for party- 
rancor to subside. It was a kind of triangular party that 
actuated the members of this legislature. The parties of Whig 
and Democrat existed to some considerable extent; but the 
immediate party, which arose between Gov. Kinney and myself, 
was the most bitter, and raged to the greatest extent. The 
moderate Jackson -men, and the ti/tra- Jackson party, were, 
many of them, exceedingly unfriendly to each other. Under 
these circumstances, it required much circumspection and pru- 
dence for the Governor to conciliate the general assembly. A 
majority on a joint ballot of the legislature was friendly to 
me, but I was in the majority in the Senate. This made it 
unpleasant and injurious to the public interest, for the Execu- 
tive and the Senate to disagree when they were compelled to 
act together on executive business. The Governor at that day 
had considerable patronage. 

In many cases, the Senate and myself, as governor, did not 
agree. One instance was the secretary of State, A. P. Field, 
Esq. The Senate wished me to remove or renominate him to 
the Senate, so they might reject him. Resolutions passed the 
Senate to this effect. I considered the secretary was a kind of 
executive officer, and I would not be bullied out of my notions- 
of propriety. I would neither remove him nor renominate 
him. He remained in office during my administration. I dis- 
regarded their resolutions. I had the people with me, and I 
feared nothing. Another notable case was that of the prose- 
cuting attorneys. At that time, three, and I think four, prose- 
cuting attorneys — Henry Eddy, Sidney Breese, Thomas Ford, 
and Alfred Cowles — were in office, and had performed their 
.duties well, to my own knowledge, under the administration of 
Governor Edwards. I nominated them to the Senate, and they 
were all rejected except Thomas Ford. I knew there could be 
no fault found to these ofificers, except they had been opposed 
to the election of Governor Kinney. I nominated them again, 
and they were the second time rejected by the Senate. I 
nominated none others, and after the close of the legislature I 
appointed the gentlemen above mentioned to their former 
offices. We all were in an excited state then, and there is some 
doubt if I had the power to make the appointments, under the 
Constitution. But our party, with the people, was sustained, 
and the next legislature approved of all my official actions. 

During this session of the general assembly, the election of 
the State treasurer presented a singular position of these double 
parties. James Hall was the incumbent in the office, and was 
again an applicant for the position. He was a Whig, opposed 
to the administration of General Jackson. John Dement, a 



202 MY OWN TIMES. 

member of the legislature, was a candidate also for the office, 
and was a Jackson man. Judge Hall had been strong and 
zealous for the election of Governor Kinney, and wielded much 
influence in his paper, the Illinois Intelligencer, at the seat of 
government. Colonel Dement had been an active and efficient 
friend of mine in the canvass for governor. It was strange to 
witness the canvass for this office. Ultra Whigs and Democrats 
often met in council together, before the election. Judge Hall, 
although a Whig, was mostly supported by Democrats, but 
Colonel Dement was elected. 

The zeal and party feelings engendered in the gubernatorial 
election governed, to a great extent, this election, as both can- 
didates were competent and worthy men. Our party being 
mostly composed of the original Jackson men, was firm, 
efficient, but not proscriptive. We gave the administration of 
Jackson a decided and efficient support. The other segment 
of the Democratic party had been mostly for Crawford for 
President, and were z///r« and proscriptive. At that time, pro- 
scription, for "opinion's sake," was not popular, and the course 
v/e pursued was approved by the people. Proscription became 
more popular afterward in this State. 

I had received memorials and messages from the section of 
country around Rock Island, informing me that a part of the 
Sac Indians, with Black Hawk at their head, were hostile to the 
citizens, and would not leave the lands they had sold to the 
General Government. These lands were occupied by citizens 
who had bought them of the Government. I brought the sub- 
ject before the legislature in 1830. The House of Representa- 
tives reported strong resolutions condemning the acts of the 
Indians, and calling on the United States to remove them. 
This language is used in the preamble, "whereas, it has been 
satisfactorily made known to this general assembly, that certain 
b;:nds of Indians, commanded by the well-known chief. Black 
Hawk, have been in the habit of hunting upon ceded lands, 
within the limits of this State, committing trespasses upon the 
lands of individuals by making sugar, and destroying their 
sugar trees, killing their hogs, stealing their horses, and other- 
wise so demeaning themselves as to keep up a constant state of 
alarm among the settlers of the northern part of our State, and 
calculated to prevent others from settling upon lands which 
they have honestly paid for." 

These resolutions passed, and are the first official action of 
the State Government in the case of the Black- Hawk war, in 
my administration; but Governor Edwards, in the previous 
legislature, had presented the subject in petitions from the 
people settled around the Sac village of Indians. The narra- 
tion of the Black-Hawk war will commence in the next chapter. 

The country was still improving rapidly, and the general 



MY OWN TIMES. 203 

assembly of 1830 and 1831 established the counties of Jasper, 
Rock Island, Cook, McLean, La Salle, Putnam, and Coles, 
The whole northern section of the State was filling up, but the 
Black-Hawk war arrested it, for two years, considerably. 

An act of this general assembly authorized me, as Governor, 
to appoint a commissioner to run and mark the State line on 
latitude forty-two degrees and thirty minutes north. I ap- 
pointed Messrs. Braily and Messenger to run the line, but at 
last John Messenger, of St. Clair County, performed the service. 
I knew he was a talented and scientific mathematician, who was 
capable of doing the subject justice, and I believe the line run 
by him and the Hon. Lucius Lyon, of Michigan, has given 
general satisfaction to both States, Illinois and Wisconsin. 

An act was passed by this general assembly to fund the old 
State-Bank paper if it could not be redeemed in cash. Stock 
was issued bearing an interest of six per cent per annum. This 
act, and others, put the currency of the State at par, which 
advanced the country very much. 

Under the United States census of 1830, the State was laid 
off into three districts for representatives to Congress, and an 
election for the members was ordered to be held on the first 
Monday of August, 1831. And, also, a general election in 
August, 1832, should be held for three members of Congress, 
and every two years thereafter. This last law provided that 
the members of Congress should be elected one year or more 
before the session of Congress for which they were elected. 
An act was also passed by this general assembly authorizing 
the Governor to appoint a board of canal commissioners. I 
appointed Jonathan H. Pugh, Bowling Green, and Charles 
Dunn, commissioners. 



CHAPTER LXXL 

The Black- Hawk War. — Sketch of the Life of the Indian "\^rrior, 
Black Hawk. — He Attacks Fort Madison in 181 1. — Joins the 
British, in Canada, Against the Americans, in 1812, in the late War 
with Britain. — He is in many Battles against the Americans, on the 
.Mississippi, in the same War. 

The Black- Hawk war having occurred in MY OWN TIMES, 
it will be appropriate for me to record it. And I may say, in 
an humble manner, as ^neas said in narrating the sacking of 
Troy to Queen Dido, "a great part of which I was." From my 
opportunities of knowing, I presume the following brief history 
of that war will be found to be accurate and correct. As the 
celebrated warrior. Black Hawk, figured so conspicuously in 
this war, it is proper to give a sketch of his life. 



204 MY OWN TIMES. 

Macuta Makicatah is the Indian name for Black Hawk. This 
warrior was born in the Sac Village in the year 1767, and was 
an Indian of some considerable talents and shrewdness. I have 
met him in council and have heard him speak, and I have a 
slight personal knowledge of his character besides what his 
actions would afford me. When I first saw him in council, at 
Rock Island, in 183 1, he appeared "stricken in years" — being 
then 64 years old — and he deported himself in that demure, 
grave, and formal manner incident to almost all Indians. He 
seemed to possess a mind of more than ordinary strength, but 
slow and plodding in its operations. He appeared to me to 
possess not*uch genius or talents that would enable him to 
take the lead in a great emergency, and conduct a great enter- 
prise to a successful conclusion. He might have had the talents 
to conduct a small marauding party with success, but he pos- 
sessed not such intellect as could combine together great dis- 
cordant elements into harmonious operation. His mind sunk 
low in comparison with the great Indian characters, such as 
Pontiac, Brant, Tecumseh, and such illustrious men. His own 
townsman and rival, Keokuk, possessed, in my judgment, more 
intellect than his rival, Black Hawk. Keokuk was gifted witli 
an extraordinary strength of mind. Black Hawk, in 1831, 
seemed to be laboring under a weight}^ melancholy and de- 
pression of spirits. The army of mounted volunteers, twelve 
or fifteen hundred strong, panting for Indian blood, right or 
wrong, had, a day or two before, driven him and his band off 
from the east side of the river, which circumstance had, I 
thought, given him sad and melancholy impressions at the time. 
The person of Black Hawk was large and well developed. His 
forehead was rather large, and presented such a formation as 
indicates a class of Indian intellect above ordinary strength. 
At the time I saw him he seemed more inclined to council than 
to action. He gave in his biography a tradition, that his great 
grandfather resided in Montreal, and that the nation emigrated 
West-to Rock Island. From this point they forced away the 
Kaskaskia Indians, and occupied it themselves. 

Black Hawk was a warrior — taking it from his own state- 
ments — from the age of fifteen, and fought the savages, who 
were the hereditary enemies of his nation. The number of the 
enemy he says he has killed staggers belief, but no doubt he 
was, in his youth, an active and efficient warrior. His passion 
and ambition were to distinguish himself as a great warrior. It 
appears he was merciful to the weak, the women, and children. 

It is due to the Indian character to state, that the only main 
road for an Indian to distinguish himself and become a great 
man is in war. So soon as he kills or wounds an enemy, he 
may paint on his blanket a bloody hand, which will entitle him 
to a seat in the councils. This standard of character and honor 



MY OWN TIMES. 205 

makes it the duty, rather than a crime, of an Indian to appear 
foremost in the ranks of the war- parties, so that he may be 
a warrior, and not such a bad character as he is sometimes 
esteemed by the whites. 

In^ 1810 and 181 1, Black Hawk and comrades were "nursing 
their wrath to keep it warm," against the whites. A party of 
Sacs, by invitation, went to see the prophet, at Tippecanoe; 
they returned poisoned against the Americans. A party of 
Winnebagos had taken some white scalps, which excited for 
murder the Sac band, headed by Black Hawk. A part of his 
band, and some Winnebagos, attacked Fort Madison in 181 1 — 
after the Tippecanoe battle — but after a hard day's fighting 
they were repulsed. Black Hawk headed the Sacs in this 
attack. 

In 1 8 12, the British emissaries arrived at Rock Island with 
goods, and bad counsel, which induced Black Hawk and five 
hundred warriors to go with Colonel Dixon to Canada. When 
they reached Green Bay, they found numbers of Kickapoos, 
Winnebagos, Ottawas, and Pottawatomies camped there, all in 
fine spirits, and under the command of Colonel Dixon. Black 
Hawk and Big Crow were at the battles of River Rasin, the 
Lower Sandusky, and other places, but soon found that there 
was hard fighting on this frontier and small spoils. He and 
twenty comrades left for the Sac Village at Rock Island. 

Black Hawk had the fire of war and hatred of the whites 
impressed strongly in his heart, and remained idle at his village 
only a short time. He raised a war-party of about thirty war- 
riors, and proceeded to the Ouivre-River Settlement, in Mis- 
souri. Here he had a hard battle with some United States ran- 
gers. The rangers ran him and eighteen other warriors into a 
sink-hole, and around this den in the earth was some fighting 
and much manoeuvring. The Indians in the earth supposed 
they would be destroyed, and some of them commenced to sing 
their death-song. They burrowed deep in the earth, and only 
one Indian was killed in the sink-hole. The whites made a 
moving battery on wagon-wheels, and fired into the hole, but 
killed but the one Indian. One of the rangers on this battery, 
at the brink of the hole, permitted his head to extend too far 
out, and was killed by the Indians. This smoky and singular 
battle continued until dark, when the Indians on the outside 
called to those in the den, so that the rangers supposed they 
would be outnumbered, and they left the Indians hi the ground, 
and also those on the ground. Black Hawk says that they put 
the dead Indian on top of the white man and left in triumph. 

For many years before the Black- Hawk war commenced, 
Keokuk and Black Hawk were hostile rivals. One party was 
for peace and the Americans, while the other. Black Hawk's, 
were unfriendly to the United States and on the best of terms 



206 MY OWN TIMES. 

with the British Government. This is the reason the tribe 
under Black Hawk was called "the British Band." Black 
Hawk would not receive any annuities from the United States, 
but went to Canada every year for presents from his British 
father. He had assembled around him a restless and turbulent 
class of Indians, and those who disliked the United States. 
They were about the same class of Indians that the prophet 
had with him at Tippecanoe, in 1811, when General Harrison 
fought the battle there. 

Black Hawk and his band stood exceedingly hostile to the 
United States and to Keokuk, the chief of the Sac and Fox 
Indians, and friendly to the British, just before the commence- 
ment of the war, in 183 1. 



CHAPTER LXXII. 

The Black-Hawk War Continued. — The Cause of the War. — the Hos- 
tility of the British Band of Sac and Fox Indians to the Whites. — 
Petitions and Affidavits Proving the Facts. — Compelled to Call Out 
Troops to Defend the Citizens. — Regret the Necessity. 

The cause of the Indian war was the determination of Black 
Hawk and his band to remain in their ancient village, situated 
on Rock River, a few miles from its mouth, after the Govern- 
ment of the United States had, by various treaties, purchased 
the village, and the whole country, from the Sac and Fox tribes 
of Indians. The Government had also the public lands sur- 
veyed, and in 1828, some of the lands, in and around this 
ancient Indian village, were sold, and the purchasers residing on 
it. The collision between the two races, for the same territory 
and property, produced the first disturbance between the 
Indians and the Government. 

In 1824, General Harrison, in St. Louis, made a treaty with 
the Sac and Fox nations, by which the lands, including the old 
Sac Village, and a great tract of country, was purchased, and 
ever since the purchase, the tribes received their annual salaries 
for the land. After the war of 18 12, in the year 18 15, the Sac 
and Fox Nation confirmed the first treaty, which was made in 
1804, at St. Louis. At the treaty of 18 15, Black Hawk and his 
band were not present, but the next year, in 18 16, he, with his 
tribe, agreed to the treaty, and he himself said, "I touched the 
goose quill," in confirming the treaty. 

The warriors of the Nation knew all about these treaties, 
and when the Government surveyed and sold the lands, includ- 
ing the old Sac Village, Keokuk, the main chief of the Nation, 
and most of the Indians, abandoned the east side of the Missis- 
sippi and located themselves on the west side. 



MY OWN TIMES. 20/ 

Black Hawk used such arguments as these to deceive and 
entrap his Indian followers: that land cannot be sold; that 
the treaties were void, as they were fraudulent; and that the 
Nation was not consulted when the treaty was made in 1804; 
when in fact these treaties were made as equitable, and by 
as honorable commissioners as any treaties were ever made in 
the United States. President Jefferson and the Senate of his 
day confirmed the treaty of 1804, made in St. Louis by an hon- 
est and upright man. General Harrison. 

I have been this much in detail, to show the utter fallacy of 
the positions taken by Black Hawk and by many of his white 
hypocritical sympathizers. It was the want of sound judg- 
ment, in Black Hawk, and his malignant hostility to the whites, 
together with promises of support from the Indians residing on 
the frontiers of the country, that caused him to attempt to 
remain in his village, in defiance of the power of the General 
Government. Every argument and entreaty was resorted to by 
all of his ancient and trusty friends. Even the British authorities 
of Canada, whom he consulted, advised him to leave his village, 
if he had sold it. The Government of the United States waited 
on him for a long time, thinking he would come to his senses 
and abandon his village. In fact, the good feeling and kind- 
ness of the Government were misconstrued by him into a belief 
that the United States either would not or could not move him 
from the east to the west side of the river. Not a single good 
and intelligent man in the State desired a collision with an insig- 
nificant and infatuated band of Indians, but at the same time, 
the peaceable citizens, residing on their own lands, must be pro- 
tected from the assults of a contemptible and ignorant foe, as 
well as from an enemy of a different character. 

I was well apprised, long before, of the difficulties and colli- 
sions existing between the Indians at the Sac Village and the 
inhabitants, but in the early spring of 183 1, petitions and mes- 
sages almost daily reached me, as Governor, at my residence in 
Belleville. 

The first petition that I received was dated April 30, 183 1, 
stating, among many other things, that "last fall the Black- 
Hawk band of Indians almost destroyed all of our crops, and 
made several attempts at the owners' lives, when they attempted 
to prevent their depredations, and actually wounded one man 
by stabbing him in several places. This spring, they act in a 
much more outrageous and menacing manner." The petition 
further states that there are six or seven hundred Indians 
among them, and they report more are coming. The Indians 
stated that the Winnebagos and Pottawatomies are to join 
them, if necessary. This petition was signed by thirty-five or 
forty persons. 

On the 1 8th May of the same year, another petition was sent 



208 MY OWN TIMES. 

to me, stating substantially the same outrages committed by 
the Indians as above mentioned, and that if relief did not soon 
arrive, that the inhabitants would be compelled to abandon their 
crops and homes. The petitioners state in this second petition 
that "the Indians pasture their horses in our wheatfields, shoot 
our cows and cattle, and threaten to burn our houses over our 
heads if we do not leave." 

Several depositions, sworn to, were presented to me. B. F. 
Pike states, on oath, that "the number of warriors is about three 
hundred; that the Indians have, in various instances, done much 
damage to the said white inhabitants, by throwing down their 
fences, destroying their fall grain, pulling off the roofs of houses, 
and positively asserting if they did not go away the warriors 
would kill them. 

This information placed me in great responsibility. If I did 
not act, and the inhabitants were murdered, after being in- 
formed of their situation, I would be condemned "from Dan to 
Bersheba;" and if I levied war, by raising troops, when there 
was no necessity for it, I would also be responsible. I had been 
■just elected governor, and my friends had pledged myself, and 
themselves, that I would act rightly and honorably in all my 
official duties. This made me feel, if possible, more responsi- 
bility to friends than to myself. I passed a few weeks of in- 
tense feeling in relation to my duty. 

Having before me a vast amount of information, all tending 
to establish the following facts: that about three hundred war- 
riors, headed by a hostile war-chief. Black Hawk, were in pos- 
session with the citizens of the old Sac Village, near Rock Isl- 
and; that the Indians were determined to retain possession of 
the country dy force; and that they had already done mischief 
to the citizens. I knew, also, that the citizens had applied to 
the Indian agents, and the military officers of the United States, 
and had obtained no relief I was well aware that, in this kind 
of a war, there was but one step between the sublime and the 
ridiculous, and that I was incurring a great responsibility. On 
mature reflection, I considered it my duty to call on the volun- 
teers to move the Indians to tt^e west side of the Mississippi, ac- 
cording to the treaty made by the General Government with 
them. Accordingly, on the 26th of May, 1831, without any re- 
quisition from the United States, I made a call on the militia 
for seven hundred mounted men. 



MY OWN TIMES. 209 



CHAPTER LXXIII. 

"War. — Call on the Militia on the 26th of May. — They meet at Beards- 
town on the loth of June. — Letters to General Gaines and Governor 
Clark. — Their Answers. — The Speedy Appearance of a Large Army 
Deters the Surrounding Indians. 

It is astonishing, the war- spirit the western people possess. 
As soon as I decided to march against the Indians at Rock Isl- 
and, the whole country, throughout the north-west of the State, 
resounded with the war clamor. Everything was in a bustle 
and uproar. It was then eighteen or twenty years since the war 
with Great Britain, and these same Indians, and the old citizens 
inflamed the young men to appear in the tented field against 
the old enemy. 

I knew that it was absolutely necessary to appear at the scene 
of action with all possible speed, and therefore I appointed a 
rendezvous of the troops at Beardstown, on the Illinois River, 
on the loth of June. This gave the troops only a few days to 
volunteer, prepare for the service, and march from this county 
— St. Clair — to Beardstown, a distance of one hundred and fifty 
miles, or more. In this time my orders had to be distributed to 
the various counties nearest the scene of action. The militia to 
meet, organize, and march to Beardstown, in fourteen or fifteen 
days. This required the greatest exertion, but I was well ac- 
quainted with the people, and knew, I thought, the manner in 
which to approach them. If I made the call on the volunteers, 
and none turned out, I was a disgraced Governor. 

In order to effect the speedy assemblage of the troops, I 
called on none south of St. Clair, or east of Sangamon Counties, 
taking those nearest the place of rendezvous. I had printed ex- 
tracts from the petitions sent me, and the depositions, circulated 
throughout the country — showing the situation of affairs at the 
Sac Village. Moreover, I made private and public speeches to 
the masses, showing the necessity for the call on the troops, and 
urging the people and my friends to turn out for the defence of 
the frontiers. 

The warm feelings of the late election for governor had not 
yet died away, and my electioneering friends converted their 
electioneering fever into the military, which was a powerful 
lever in the crusade for Rock Island. 

Vv'^hen a call is made on the militia the number that will vol- 
unteer cannot be exactly ascertained before they meet at the 
place of rendezvous. In this call on the militia, more than 
double the number that was called for — seven hundred — volun- 
teered. It was the most busy time in the year with the farmers, 

14 



210 MY OWN TIMES. 

yet hundreds of them unhitched their horses from the plow, left 
their cornfields, and appeared in the army. 

Another great responsibility forced itself on me — which was 
to procure military stores anid provisions for that army, the 
numbers of which could not be ascertained at the commence- 
ment. This expedition, thus far, was on my own responsibility, 
and, perhaps, the General Government would not approve of it. 

I engaged two influential and efficient characters. Colonels 
Enoch C. Much and Samuel C. Christy, and appointed them 
quartermasters, with whom I consulted, and devised the plans 
on which to procure supplies. These gentlemen were large tra- 
ders and merchants, which gave them a standing to effect the 
object desired. 

In all armies, the supplies are among the most difficult mat- 
ters to be arranged. So it was in this military expedition, but 
it was accomplished. 

On the 27th of May, 1831 — the same day I made the call on 
the militia — I addressed a letter to General Clark, of St. Louis, 
superintendent of Indian affairs, and stated*, "that I had called 
out seven hundred militia to protect the citizens near Rock Isl- 
and from Indian depredations; but I considered it due to the 
General Government to state that in about fifteen days a suffi- 
cient force will appear before the hostile Indians to remove 
them, dead or alive, to the west side of the Mississippi; but to 
save this disagreeable business, perhaps a request from you to 
them, for them to remove to the west side of the river, would 
effect the object of procuring peace to the citizens of this State." 
I deemed it probable that if General Clark, who had great 
standing with the Indians, would inform Black Hawk and his 
band of their situation, troops being raised to march against 
them, that they would cross the river and leave the citizens in 
peace, but on the 28th inst.. General Clark wrote me, and stated 
that "he had made every effort on his part to move from Illinois 
all the tribes who had ceeded their lands." He further adds: 
"I have given the contents of your letter to General Gaines,^ 
who has power to protect the frontiers." 

On the 28th of the same month, I addressed a letter to Gen- 
eral Gaines, and stated: "I had received undoubted information 
that the section of the State near Rock Island was actually in- 
vaded by a hostile band of Indians, headed by Black Hawk, 
and in order to repel said invasion, and to protect the citizens 
of the State, I have, under the provisions of the Constitution of 
the United States, and the laws of this State, called on the 
militia, to the number of seven hundred men, who will be 
mounted and ready for service in a very short time. I consider 
it my duty to lay before you the above information, that you 
may adopt such measures as you may deem just and proper." 
I stated further that I would move against said tribes of Indians 



MY OWN TIMES. 211 

and, "as Executive of the State, respectfully request .your * 
co-operation in this business." 

General Gaines was then at Jefferson Barracks, below St. 
Louis, and on the 29th inst., answered my letter by saying: "I 
do not deem it necessary, or proper, to require militia, or any 
other description of force, other than the regular army, at this 
place, and Prairie du Chien, to protect the frontiers." 

Both General Gaines and General Clark disapproved of my 
raising troops to move the hostile Indians over the river. They 
had not the information of the necessity of my movement which 
I possessed. I urged on the levying of the troops; but I 
received, not far from Beardstown, a letter from General Gaines, 
dated at Rock Island, on the 5th of June, that showed the 
necessity of my speedy movement to protect the frontiers. The 
letter stated that "I deem it the only safe measure now to be 
taken, to request of your Excellency the battalion of mounted 
men which you did me the honor to say would co-operate with 
me." He states in the same letter that Black Hawk had invited 
the other neighboring Indians to unite with him, if a war should 
ensue, and if that should be the case, more troops would be 
required. 

I was very much rejoiced on receiving this letter, as it put 
my whole proceeding on a legal and constutional footing, and 
the responsibility of the war removed from me to the United 
States. 

I believe it was the expeditious and efficient movement of the 
mounted volunteers that quieted the Indian disturbances near 
Rof^k Island. Black Hawk and his band were not in fear of the 
regular soldiers. The regular army could not move with celerity 
so as to strike terror into the hearts of the Indians. Moreover, 
the Indians dreaded the backwoods white men. They knew the 
volunteers were their natural enemies and would destroy them 
on all occasions. 

This class of troops raised and marched to Rock Island with 
extraordinary celerity, and in such an imposing force that it 
struck terror into the hearts of the Indians. 

I knew at the time I made the first call on the militia, and 
time has since confirmed it, that many of the Indians for hun- 
dreds of miles around the frontiers were hostile to the United 
States, and had promised Black Hawk succor, and would have 
joined him had not the extraordinarily quick and strong move- 
ment of the Illinois volunteers prevented it. It is probable that 
the determined and hasty volunteering of the Illinois troops 
saved the Government from a destructive Indian war all around 
the north-west frontiers. 

After the supplies were prepared to meet the volunteers at 
Beardstown, I visited almost all of the counties where volunteers 
were required, and placed everything in train, as far as I was 
able. 



212 MY OWN TIMES. 

As has been already stated, I called on my leading friends, 
told them the situation of the country, and my situation also. 
They, and the masses, responded to the call; and more than 
double the number called for appeared at Beardstown on, or 
near the loth of June, 183 1. 



CHAPTER LXXIV. 

The Organization of the Volunteers North of Beardstown. — Procured 
Arms and Provisions. — Respectable and Distinguished Citizens 
Joined the Army. 

As this campaign progressed, I became more enlisted in its 
success, which made me give it my undivided attention. I had 
then recently after the election many bitter enemies at home 
preaching, in an under tone, poison against the whole war, and 
against myself also. Many would be pleased to see the whole 
campaign fail, as that of General Hopkins did in 18 12, if it 
would reach me. All things considered, to promote the general 
welfare, I felt as much interested in the success of the campaign 
as if it w£re a private expedition carried on by myself alone. 

I had appointed two efficient and energetic officers. Colonels 
James D. Henry and Milton K. Alexander, my aids -de -camp, 
who, at my request,* attended at Beardstown, and were good 
aids in fact to me in organizing the army. It must be recol- 
lected that the most independent and energetic citizens volun- 
teered, and that they were not at first many of them accustomed 
to military subordination. It required some attention to the 
notions and opinions of the volunteers as to their organization. 
Moreover, many citizens, competent and efficient characters, 
appeared at the rendezvous for office. Many of these individuals 
had standing, and their wishes were not to be disregarded. On 
the whole, the proper organization of a volunteer army is a mat- 
ter that requires much serious attention, and a knowledge of 
human nature. A volunteer army, without the proper organi- 
zation, and properly officered, will turn out a mob, and a dis- 
grace to themselves and country. 

I appointed the Hon. Joseph Duncan, who was then a mem- 
ber in congress, brigadier-general, to take immediate command 
of the brigade, and Samuel Whiteside, a major, to take com- 
mand of a spy-battalion. These officers were important to the 
success of the campaign, and I took the responsibility to 
appoint them. The other officers, except the staff- officers, I 
ordered the volunteers to elect. 

At Beardstown, the troops commenced to arrive in great 
numbers, and they generally appeared by companies. They 
were drilled and trained under the direction of my aids, with 



MY OWN TIMES. 213 

as much accuracy as if they were regulars, so far as raw troops 
were capable. 

Another difficulty arose among others, that although I had 
ordered each volunteer to procure a gun, but hundreds appeared 
at the rendezvous without arms. We could not wait to procure 
arms from a distance. We expected every day to receive infor- 
mation that the Indians and the citizens had had a battle at 
the Sac Village. 

It was fortunate that some of the State arms received from 
the United States, had been ordered to Beardstown; but not 
half enough to supply all. It occurred that a respectable mer- 
chant, Mr. Earnst, in Beardstown, had a quantity of muskets in 
his store, and we procured them for the troops. These muskets 
were light, neat pieces, made with brass barrels for the South- 
American service, and answered us exceedingly well. It was a 
mere accident to find them in a dry-goods store. The troops, 
among the best men in the country, came flocking in until the 
number was swelled to near threefold seven hundred, the force 
first called for. It would not do to turn these good men, the 
supernumerary, back home. They had made arrangements to 
leave home, and to send them back, their whole arrangements 
would be frustrated. They urged that they appeared at my 
call, and they did not know how it would turn out — that they 
were with me, and they would stay with me. I took the re- 
sponsibility and organized almost threefold the number Gen- 
eral Gaines called for. 

The main consideration that urged me to this policy, was, 
that when we had plenty of forces at hand, it was folly to 
appear with a bare sufficiency in the field to conquer the enemy. 
That it would save the lives of the whites to have a large force 
in the service — that we did not exactly know how strong the 
band of Black Hawk was, and that many other Indians might 
join his standard. 

My policy in this humble war, in having a large force in the 
field, was established to be correct by the contrary course in 
the Mexican war. At no time during the Mexican war was 
there a proper force in the field. At least threefold the num- 
ber of -troops to what was in service ought to have been in the 
field at the battle of Buena Vista, and at all the celebrated 
battles in Mexico. But the victories were the more brilliant on 
account of the few American soldiers engaged in them. But 
suppose the armies had been cut to pieces by having an insuffi- 
cient force in service, when millions were panting at home for 
the honor of the tented field. In such an event, the adminis- 
tration would have been disgraced. But as the campaigns turned 
out, the annals of military history since the slaughter of the inno- 
cent people recorded in the Old Testament, down to the present 
time, cannot furnish as many splendid and brilliant victories as 



214 MY OWN TIMES. 

were achieved by the American army in the conquest of Mexico, 
under Generals Taylor and Scott. 

The whole brigade was organized into two regiments and two 
battalions. The first regiment was commanded by Col. James 
D. Henry, Jacob Fry, lieutenant-colonel; John T. Stuart, major; 
Thomas Collins, adjutant; Edward Jones, quartermaster; and 
Thomas M. Neal, paymaster. The captains were Adam Smith, 
William F. Elkin, A. Morris, Thomas Carlin, Samuel Smith, 
John Lorton, and Samuel C. Pearce. The second regiment was 
commanded by Colonel Daniel Leib; lieutenant-colonel not 
recollected; N. Butler, major. The captains were H. Mathews, 
John Hanes, George Bristow, William Gilham, Kindall, Alex- 
ander Wells, William Weatherford. The odd battalion was 
commanded by Major N. Buckmaster; 'James Semple, adjutant 
Richard Roman, surgeon, and Joseph Gillespie, paymaster. 
Captains, William Moore, John Laramie, and Soloman Miller. 
The spy-battalion was commanded by General Samuel White- 
side, as major; Samuel F. Kendall, adjutant; John S. Great- 
house, quartermaster; P. H. Winchester, paymaster. Captains, 
William B. Whiteside, William Miller, and Soloman P. Witt. 

In this manner organized and all the necessary supplies fur- 
nished, the brigade left the encampment near Rushville, on the 
15th of June, for Rock Island. I marched with the brigade 
with my staff, Colonel E. C. Berry, adjutant -general of the 
State. Col. M. K. Alexander, my aid-dc-camp, and others. In 
this volunteer army were many of the most distinguished men 
in the State. 



CHAPTER LXXV. 

March to Rock Island. — Black Hawk and Tribe Abandon their Vil- 
lage. — The Volunteers Occupy the Sac Village. — Treaty with Black 
Hawk and Warriors. 

The brigade organized, and marching in the large prairies 
toward Rock Island, made a grand display. The material was 
an energetic and efficient troop, possessing all the qualities, 
except discipline, that were necessary in any army. This small 
army was composed of the flower of the country, and possessed 
strong sense and unbounded energy. They Slso entertained 
rather an excess of the Indimi ill-will, so that it required much 
gentle persuasion to restrain them from killing, indiscriminatel}', 
all the Indians they met. 

The settlements were not extended at that day much north, 
if any, of Monmouth, in Warren County. In four days of a 
pleasant and prosperous march, the army encamped on the 
Mississippi, at about two o'clock, eight miles below the Sac 



MY OWN TIMES. 21$ 

Village. At this point, General Gaines met the brigade with a 
steamboat filled with provisions. Here General Gaines received 
the troops into the service of the United States and took the 
-command. 

I had a severe attack of the fever, and was confined to the 
wagon or the boat. It was considered too late to make a 
display before the Indian village that evening. 

Here again I will state, that small circumstances may decide 
great events. The following remarks are not mathematical, but 
ten to one they would have occurred if the army had reached 
the river in the early part of the day. Then Black Hawk and 
his band would have been on the disputed territory, and 
although the Indians might not have fired the first gun, they 
were well armed and prepared for defence. Americans, and 
perhaps many, with or without orders, would have fired on the 
Indians. A battle would have ensued in which most of the 
Indians — men, women, and children — would have been de- 
troyed, and some fifty or eighty of the whites. How fortunate 
it was that the army reached the river late in the evening, as no 
one, with a few exceptions, desired to destroy these deluded 
savages. It is the nature of an Indian to fight the most severely 
when he is being destroyed, and to defend his family, he will 
do as much as any one on earth. The headstrong Americans, 
being so many in the brigade that hated the Indians, wanted 
fun, and did not know the power and efhciency of the Indians 
to kill, when they are hemmed in — that a bloody tragedy would 
have been enacted if the Indians had been in possession of the 
village when the army reached it. Providentially this calamity 
was averted by giving the Indians time to run off the next 
Jiight. Some believe General Gaines caused the army to 
encamp on the river on purpose to give time for the Indians to 
escape in the night, and some suppose that he and General 
Duncan knew in the morning, before the army left the camp, 
that the Indians had escaped. I was with Gaines on the boat, 
and I did not know the Indians had fled until the army reached 
the village. I sincerely thought there would be blood shed. I 
believe Gaines was holiest, and he arranged the steamer to resist 
the Indian balls, and urc^ed me to s.o below, for he said I was in 

' o to ' 

great danger on the deck of the boat. I remained on the deck, 
but soon the word was that the Indians had escaped in the 
night. I was glad of it. If Gaines knew of the Vidians being 
gone, he acted unfair to me, and I do not believe he would. I 
think Gaines possessed strict honor and fidelity. Hordes of 
Indians were seen lurking about the army, and were, no doubt, 
spies. 

The army was encamped on this beautiful site, and made 
arrangements for a night-attack, as was the case at Tippecanoe 
in 1811. The Indians under Black Hawk were about the same 



2l6 MY OWN TIMES. 

class of fanatical, crazy people as surrounded the prophet on 
the Wabash. These modern fanatics had also their prophet^ 
that dreamed dreams, and excited the deluded savages to a 
state approaching insanity. No one could tell what they would 
do. Not an Indian approached the army offering peace, and 
the general opinion was that a battle would be fought. The 
utmost vigilance was observed during the night, and no attack 
was made. Next morning, the volunteers under General Dun- 
can moved up the river, some several miles, to a position oppo- 
site the old Sac Village. General Gaines had a number of 
cannon and artillerymen posted on a height on the other side 
of the village, and within the range of the guns. In another 
quarter was a strong force of the regular army posted, to aid in 
the conflict if necessary. 

Attempts were made by General Duncan to ferry Rock 
River, but it proved too slow. He was shown a ford above 
where the army crossed the river. 

General Gaines had cannon and regulars on his boat, and 
moved the boat up Rock River near Woodruff's Island, in the 
river, where the troops found a ford to cross the river. The 
cannon was fired on the island, and the shore where it was sup- 
posed the Indians would be concealed to oppose the volunteers 
crossing the river. The cannon was fired, and the army crossed 
the river. When the village, supposed to be so sacred to the 
Indians, was approached, not an Indian was found in it. The 
warriors, women, and children had fled during the night to the 
west side of the river. 

During this whole day it rained in torrents, so that the troops 
were as wet as if they had been in the river. This ended Black 
Hawk's bravado, and his determination to die in his ancient vil- 
lage. It never can be ascertained how many warriors were 
under his command. They ranged from four to six hundred 
men, and I presume there were at times as high as five or six 
hundred. It is a fact, that many of the straggling and disaf- 
fected Indians of the surrounding tribes had at times joined 
him, and I presume were with him at the village when the army 
reached the Mississippi; but as Butler wrote the Indians actedy. 

"He that fights and runs away, 
May live to fight another day." 



CHAPTER LXXVI. . 

Volunteers Camped on the Site of the Present Town of Stephenson. — 
Stampede with the Horses. — Treaty with Black Hawk and Warriors. 

I WAS so sick I could not ride on horseback, but remained on 
the steamer with General Gaines while the volunteers were 



MY OWN TIMES. 21/' 

crossing the river, and the General firing the cannon. I am 
satisfied that he supposed, and so did I, that there would be a. 
battle fought at the village. The steamboat was so fortified 
that the bullets could do the pipes and steam machinery no 
great injurv^ Rock River was narrow where the boat was, so 
that balls could reach the steamboat with ease. 

I was truly glad we were not compelled to destroy these 
deluded savages, although they had been extremely insolent to 
General Gaines some short time before. Black Hawk entered 
into a council with General Gaines, at Rock Island, sometime 
before the army reached the Sac Village, and he and warriors 
were armed with spears and tomahawks, and invited the Gen- 
eral out with his troops for a pitch battle. Notwithstanding all 
this bravado, it is to the honor of General Gaines that he disre- 
garded this unbecoming conduct, and treated Black Hawk and 
his band with impartial justice. 

Next morning, after the wet night in the Indian wigwams- 
of the Sac Village, the volunteers encamped exactly on the site 
where the town of Stephenson now stands. The location then 
was smooth prairie. 

In a bend of the Mississippi, the horses of the brigade were 
confined and a guard placed around them, but a steamboat 
came up the river at night and alarmed them. They took what 
is called a stampede, and run altogether in a confused mass away 
from the river for miles. The guards were compelled to leave 
their posts or be trodden into the earth. It required some time 
to gather up the lost horses. 

Black Hawk and his band landed on the west side of the 
Mississippi, about twelve miles below Rock Island, and there 
camped. General Gaines sent an order to him and warriors 
that if he and his head men did not come to Rock Island and 
make a treaty of peace, that he would move on him with the 
troops under his command. In a few days, some of the chiefs 
and warriors came over to Rock Island, but Black Hawk did 
not appear. The general then sent peremptory orders for 
Black Hawk and warriors to come to Fort Armstrong and sue 
for peace, or he would chastise them. He had the power, he 
told them, and he would exercise it if a treaty of peace was 
not concluded in a short time. The Indians are terrified at 
mounted Americans. 

In a few days. Black Hawk, and the chiefs and headmen to 
the number of twenty-eight, appeared in Fort Armstrong, and 
on the 30th June, 183 1, in full council with General Gaines and 
myself, signed the treaty hereafter set out. Antoine Le Clair, 
a man of good sense and excellent character, was the interpre- 
ter, and explained the whole transaction so that all the warriors, 
including Black Hawk himself, were well acquainted with the 
contents of the treaty and the whole transaction. 



2l8 MY OWN TIMES. 

In Black Hawk's life, he states that "when we arrived at the 
door, (meaning the door of the council-house,) we were singing 
a war-song, and armed with lances, spears, war-clubs, and bows 
and arrows, as if going to battle." He further states that "I 
told him (General Gaines,) I never would leave my village, and 
was determined not to leave it." 

The following is the treaty made and concluded on that 
occasion: 

Articles of Agreement and Capitulation made and concluded 
this thirtieth day of June, eighteen hundred and thirty-one, 
between E. P. Gaines, Major-General of the United States 
Army, on the part of the United States; John Reynolds, 
Governor of Illinois, on the part of the State of Illinois; and 
the Chiefs and Braves of the Band of Sac Indians — usually 
called the British Band, of Rock River — with their old Allies 
of the Pottawatomie, Winnebago, and Kickapoo Nations: 

Witnesseth, that whereas, the said British band of Sac 
Indians have, in violation of the several treaties entered into 
between the United States and the Sac and Fox Nations, in the 
years 1804, 18 16, and 1825, continued to remain upon and to 
■cultivate the lands on Rock River, ceded to the United States 
by the said treaties, after the said lands had been sold by the 
United States to individual citizens of Illinois and other States: 

And whereas, the said British band of Sac Indians, in order 
to sustain their pretentions to continue on the said 'lock-River 
lands, have assumed the attitude of actual hostility toward the 
United States, and have had the audacity to drive citizens of 
the State of Illinois from their houses, destroy their corn, and 
invite many of their old friends of the Pottawatomies, Winne- 
bagos, and Kickapoos to unite with them, the said British band 
of Sacs, in war, to prevent their removal from said lands: 

And whereas, many of the most disorderly of these several 
tribes of Indians did actually join the said British band of Sac 
Indians prepared for war against the United States, and more 
particularly against the State of Illinois, from which purpose 
they confess that nothing could have restrained them but the 
appearance of force far exceeding the combined strength of the 
said British band of Sac Indians, with such of their aforesaid 
allies as had actually joined them; but being now convinced 
that such a war would tend speedily to annihilate them, they 
have voluntarily abandoned their hostile attitude and sued for 
peace. 

Peace is therefore granted them upon the following condi- 
tions, to which the said British band of Sac Indians, with their 
aforesaid allies, agree; and for the faithful execution of which, 
the undersigned chiefs and braves of the said band, and their 
allies, mutually bind themselves, their lives, and assigns, forever: 



MY OWN TIMES. 219 

1. The British band of Sac Indians are required peaceably 
to submit to the authority of the friendly chiefs and braves of 
the united Sac and Fox Nations, and at all times hereafter to 
reside and hunt with them upon their own lands, west of the 
Mississippi River, and to be obedient to their laws and treaties, 
and no one or more of the said band shall ever be permitted to 
recross said river to the place of their usual residence, nor to 
any part of their old hunting-ground east of the Mississippi, 
without the express permission of the President of the United 
States, or the Governor of the State of Illinois. 

2. The United States will guarantee to the united Sac and 
Fox Nations, including the said British band of Sac Indians, the 
integrity of all the lands claimed by them westward of the Mis- 
sissippi River, pursuant to the treaties of the years 1825 and 
1830. 

3. The United States require the united Sac and Fox 
Nations, including the aforesaid British band, to abandon all 
communication, and cease to hold any intercourse with any 
British post, garrison, or town, and never again to admit among 
them any agent or trader who has not derived his authority to 
hold commerce or other intercourse with them from the Presi- 
dent of the United States or his authorized agent. 

4. The United States demand an acknowledgment of their 
right to establish military posts, and roads, within the limits of 
the said country guaranteed by the second article of this agree- 
ment and capitulation, for the protection of the frontier inhabi- 
tants. 

5. It is further agreed by the United States, that the prin- 
cipal friendly chiefs and headmen of the Sac and Fox Nations 
bind themselves to enforce, as far as may be in their power, the 
strict observance of each and every article of this agreement and 
capitulation; and at any time they find themselves unable to 
restrain their allies, the Pottawatomies, Kickapoos, or Winne- 
bagos, to give immediate information thereof to the nearest 
military post. 

6. And it is finally agreed by the contracting parties that 
henceforth permanent peace and friendship be established be- 
tween the United States and the aforesaid band of Indians. 

EDMUND P. GAINES, 

Major-Gen. by Brevet Com. 

JOHN REYNOLDS, 

Governor of the State of Illinois. 

Black Hawk and twenty-seven chiefs and warriors signed the 
above capitulation and treaty of peace. 



220 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER LXXVII. 

The Close of the First Campaign in the Black-Hawk War.— The Army 
Disbanded. — Corn and Provisions Given to the Indians. — Scenery 
of Rock Island. — The Indian Villages. — Indian Tradition. — A 
White Spirit. 

Although General Gaines was a brave and stern warrior, 
who aided much in raising the army of the United States to the 
glory and grandeur it so deservedly possesses, yet his heart 
responded in the kindest manner to the distresses of human 
nature. 

The unfortunate women and children, pertaining to the band 
of Black Hawk, were camped on the bank of the river, where 
they had nothing to eat or nothing to cover them from the 
inclemency of the weather. They had been deluded and ruined 
by the bad counsels and worse conduct of Black Hawk and 
other leaders of the tribe, but the helpless part of the band 
could not avoid it, they were in the hands of the chiefs and 
were ruined. Their distressed condition made a strong impres- 
sion on General Gaines and myself. I know well my feelings 
for these deluded people were strong. I recollect well the argu- 
ment I used to General Gaines — although, perhaps, he had as 
much benevolence at heart as I had — I observed, that I pre- 
sumed this was the last time the Government would have any 
trouble with these Indians; the women and children were not so 
much to blame, they were starving, and that a support for them 
for one summer was nothing to the United States; that the 
Government possessed their fine country, and I could not be 
satisfied to leave them starving. We gave them more pro- 
visions than they would have raised on the fields they had left, 
and had it delivered to them at certain periods. But they are a 
race of people who will not observe the least economy or pru- 
dence, and I presume they did not take care of the provisions, 
and they were in want toward fall and winter. 

Our treaty was ridiculed by the volunteers. It was called a 
corn treaty. It was said we gave them food when it ought to 
have been lead. 
■^ The army was disbanded, and returned home in good order. 
According to my recollection, not a man was killed by accident,' 
or died of disease, during the campaign. All returned home 
with the best spirits, knowing we had done our duty. 

The scenery around Rock Island is not surpassed by any in 
the whole length of the Mississippi. It seems as though nature 
had made an effort in forming this beautiful and picturesque 
country. Rock Island itself presents a grand and imposing 
appearance, rising out of the waters of the Mississippi a solid 



MY OWN TIMES. 221 

rock, with many feet elevation. It is several miles long and 
three-fourths of a mile. wide. The rocks are covered with a 
fertile soil, at one time with a dense forest. The river washes 
around its base with a rapid current of pure and limpid water, 
and Rock River, a few miles south, is seen in the distance, 
forcing its way with great rapidity over the rocky rapidc, into 
the father of waters. The country around is interspersed with 
beautiful groves of timber, which gives to the scene a sweetness 
and beauty that is rarely equalled. The blue hills in the dis- 
tance, directing the course of the river, are seen on the north 
and south to rise with gentle slopes from the water to con- 
siderable elevations, and the valley between, embracing the 
river, is some miles in extent, presenting a variety of surface 
and beauty of landscape never surpassed. 

On the west bank of the Mississippi is located the town of 
Davenport, and on the east side of the river is Stephenson, the 
county seat of Rock Island County. Both of these towns bid 
fair to become places of considerable business. 

On the lower part of Rock Island stood, in former days, Fort 
Armstrong. It was situated on a high bluff of the island, 
almost projecting over the river. This elevated position of the 
fort gave it, from the river, an interesting and imposing appear- 
ance. 

On the north bank of Rock River, a few miles south of the 
island, was built the old Sac Village. This Indian town was 
the largest in the West, and has existed about one hundred 
and fifty years. 

On the Mississippi, nearly opposite and south of Rock Island, 
was the village of the Fox Indians, the allies, relatives, and 
friends of the Sacs. Time has consecrated both these villages 
in the estimation of the Indians, who respect them as the Jews 
did Jerusalem. 

There is a tradition of the Indians as ancient as the Sac Vil- 
lage itself It is this: A good spirit once made its peaceful 
abode in a cavern of the rocks, near the water, directly under 
the site of Fort Armstrong. It was at long intervals seen, and 
was as white as snow. Its wings were much larger than those 
of a swan, and its voice, in the Sac language, was the sweetest 
music. It was sent there by the Great Spirit to preside over 
the Sac and Fox Nations of Indians, and to direct them in the 
ways of wisdom and honesty. The Indians did not often 
approach its holy residence for fear they would disturb it. It 
delighted in goodness, but when the Americans arrived in the 
country, they were so bad that this good spirit flew off, never to 
return again. 

It was the hostility to the whites, and perverseness of Black 
Hawk, that gave so much trouble and expense to the United 
States, and starvation and destruction to his own people. Black 



222 MY OWN TIMES. 

Hawk was a treacherous and evil -disposed Indian; and the 
Eastern people, who extolled him so much, and some of his 
biographers, have attempted to give him a character and stand- 
ing on his fraud and treachery to the United States. We all 
sympathize with the condition of the aborigines of the country, 
but when we discover treachery and corruption in any person, 
he cannot be sustained, no matter in what calamity his nation 
may be suffering. 



CHAPTER LXXVni. 

The Black-Hawk War in 1832. — The British Band of Indians Invade 
the State. — Another Call on the Volunteers. — A Requisition by Gen. 
Atkinson, of the United States Army. 

During the winter of I S3 1 and 1832, I heard rumors that 
Black Hawk and his band were dissatisfied, restless, and pre- 
paring for mischief. I presumed he would not be contented, as 
he disliked to reside near Keokuk, but I had not the most 
remote idea that he and band would dare to attempt to recross 
the river again, and occupy the old village. I thought this an 
absurdity and imprudence that no tribe of Indians would dare 
attempt after the proceedings of the last year. 

The prophet, a chief of a band of Winnebago Indians who 
had a village on Rock River, some thirty miles above its mouth, 
joined Black Hawk on the west side of the Mississippi. This 
malicious and dangerous man, like the prophet on the Wabash 
River, in the late war with Britain, had great influence with 
the ignorant natives, and counselled Black Hawk and his band 
to their destruction. He made them believe that all the Indians 
on Rock River would join Black Hawk, if necessary, and that 
they could bid defiance to the whites. By this unwise counsel, 
and by the bad intentions of Black Hawk himself, he and band 
decided in the winter of 1832 to recross the Mississippi, and 
reside again in their old village, on Rock River. This decision 
was their destruction. 

All winter, Black Hawk labored incessantly on the surround- 
ing bands of Sacs and Foxes for recruits, and induced many to 
join him. 

The British band, with Black Hawk at their head, assembled 
first at old Fort Madison, on the Mississippi, and marched up 
the river by land and water to the Yellow Banks, where Oquaw- 
ka stands at this day, on the 6th of April, 1832. They 
amounted to about five hundred warriors — women, children, and 
dogs in proportion — and had with them all their horses, bag- 
gage, and wealth. 

This hostile array of five hundred warriors, well provided with 



MY OWN TIMES. 225 

arms, and with a settled determination to occupy the country 
again, spread a general panic throughout the whole frontiers, 
from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. Many settlers, in the 
greatest terror of the Indians, abandoned their homes and farms, 
and moved into the interior of the State. The whole northern 
frontiers were alarmed, and almost daily messengers reached 
my residence in Belleville with the above information. I knew 
well the character of both the frontier- settlers and the Indians. 
One unlucky movement, on either side, might involve the whole 
frontier in a bloody war; and I reflected, also, on the great 
responsibility of levying troops at my own instance. But the 
danger of the frontiers was so pressing that I decided, on the 
l6th of April, to call out a large number of volunteers. I did 
this on my own responsibility, as I had not then received any 
requisition from General Atkinson, who commanded the regular 
forces at Rock Island. But the General, near the scene of dan- 
ger, and about the same time, decided on the same course that I 
had adopted. He had received letters from reliable sources that 
the Indians were hostile, and that a war was inevitable. The In- 
dian agent, Andrew S. Hughes, stated to him that "those Indians 
are hostile to the whites, and have invaded the State." Colonel 
Davenport, a merchant of Rock Island, also wrote General 
Atkinson "that from every information I have received, I am of 
the opinion that the intention of the British band of Sac 
Indians is to commit depredations on the inhabitants of the 
frontier." On the same day that he received these two letters, 
the 13th of April, he made a requisition on me, as governor, for 
the amount of forces I deemed necessary for the defence of the 
frontiers. He states that "the regular force under my command 
is too small to justify me in pursuing the hostile party." He 
further adds: "I think the frontier is in great danger, and will 
use all the means at my disposal to co-operate with you in its 
protection and defence." 

To add still more to the wrongs committed by the hostile 
Indians, they had, not long after the treaty in 183 1, made with 
General Gaines and myself, murdered twenty-five Menomonee 
Indians, under the protection of the United States, at Fort 
Crawford, preparing to make a treaty. The Government called 
on Black Hawk and the offending Indians to give up the mur- 
derers, which was entirely neglected. 



CHAPTER LXXIX. 

A Call on the Volunteers. 

Considering the inhabitants on the frontier to be in great 
danger, I knew it was useless to raise troops if they were not 
with the greatest speed marched to the frontiers; and with this 



224 MY OWN TIMES. 

view, I made the time the 22d inst., to meet at Beardstown, on 
the IlHnois River. This gave the troops from Monroe and the 
•counties on the north of the State only six days to organize 
and meet at the place designated. I was compelled to exert all 
the energy and influence I possessed to induce the volunteers to 
meet as quick as above stated. I despatched influential mes- 
sengers to the counties where troops were to be levied, and I 
addressed a circular to the citizen -soldiers in the following 
words : 

TO THE MILITIA OF THE NORTH-WESTERN SECTION OF THE 

^ , ^. . STATE. 

Fellow Citizens: 

Your country requires your services. The Indians have 
assumed a hostile attitude, and have invaded the State in viola- 
tion of the treaty of last summer. 

The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed 
by Black Hawk, are in possession of the Rock-River country to 
the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the set- 
tlers on the frontier to be in imminent danger. 

I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen 
of respectable standing, and also from General Atkinson, whose 
character stands high with all classes. 

In possession of the above facts and information, I have not 
hesitated as to the course I should pursue. No citizen ought to 
remain inactive when his country is invaded, and the helpless 
part of the community are in danger. I have called out a 
strong detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on 
the 22d inst. 

Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be fur- 
nished in abundance. 

I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations and offer 
their services, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerfulness, 
in defence of their country. 

I left Belleville and visited the counties on my route to 
Beardstown. In Jacksonville, I called on my two friends, Wil- 
liam Thomas and Murray McConnell, and they both volunteered. 
I appointed Mr. Thomas brigade-quartermaster, and afterwards 
Mr. McConnell was appointed a stafif-ofiicer. At this place, I 
received a line from three conspicuous gentlemen. Judge Young, 
Col. Strode, and Benjamin Mills, Esq., urging the speedy pro- 
tection of the frontiers, as the inhabitants were in great danger. 
This letter was dated the 20th inst., at Dixon, which was then 
in the Indian country, and informed me that the Pottawatomie 
and Winnebago Indians had joined Black Hawk, and they 
presumed war was inevitable. As soon as I received this 
information, I ordered a levy of two hundred mounted-men to 
guard the frontiers between Rock River and the settlements on 



MY OWN TIMES, 22$ 

the Illinois River, and Major Bailey to take command of them. 
On the i6th inst., I had ordered the same number — two hun- 
dred — to be raised, and commanded by General Stillman as 
major. This corps was to guard the frontiers nearer to the 
Mississippi, 

This spring, in 1832, was wet and backward, so that it was 
difficult to obtain horses or to sustain them; but never were 
troops more willing, and more speedy in offering their services, 
than those troops were. 

Major Long, of Sangamon County, appeared at Beardstown 
with about two hundred volunteers who could not procure 
horses, but they were received and marched as infantry. Such 
patriotic men, who volunteered to march on foot with mounted- 
men, I would not return home, let the consequences be what 
they might. I appointed again my two commissioners, Colonels 
Enoch C. March and Samuel C. Christy, to procure supplies 
for the army, amounting, perhaps, to two thousand men. 

The volunteers were organized into four regiments, a spy- 
battalion, and an odd battalion. Elections were ordered of all 
the field-officers, except the brigadier-general, to command the 
volunteers, and the major of the spy-battalion, Colonel DeWitt, 
was elected to command the first regiment; Fry, the second; 
Thomas, of St. Clair County, the third; and Thompson, the 
fourth. Thomas James, of Monroe County, was elected major 
of the odd battalion. I appointed Samuel Whiteside the briga- 
dier-general, and James D. Henry major to command the spy- 
battalion. The following named gentlemen I appointed as my 
staff: James T, B. Stapp and Joseph M. Chadwick my aids; 
James Turney, paymaster- general; Vital Jarrot, adjutant-gen- 
eral; and Cyrus Edwards, ordnance-officer. These officers 
ranked as colonels, and were paid as such. 

On the 1 6th inst., I wrote two letters to Washington City; 
one to the Secretary of War, advising the General Government 
of my military proceedings, and the other to the Hon. Joseph 
Duncan to provide pay for the volunteers. 

This campaign was similar to that of the previous year. 
Many of the most conspicuous and influential men in the State 
volunteered, whose condition in public life gave them a prom- 
inency that could not be overlooked in the organization. 

I received at Beardstown, almost daily, horrid accounts of the 
determined hostility of the Indians, which caused me to issue 
orders to every county in the State to levy and organize in the 
whole at least five thousand volunteers, to be ready to march at 
a moment's warning. As the war progressed so slowly, this cal^ 
on the militia turned out exceedingly well for the second cam- 
paign. 

The danger was so pressing on the frontiers that I could not 
wait for wagons to convey our supplies, but on the 27th oi 

15 



226 MY OWN TIMES. 

April ordered the whole army to march, with only a few days*^ 
provision to last them to the Yellow Banks. Colonel March — 
Colonel Christy having resigned — was dispatched to St. Louis 
for supplies, to meet the army at the Yellow Banks. I shipped 
Major Long's battalion of infantry on a steamboat to meet the 
army at Yellow Springs. 

When I had all things ready for a march, I received a letter 
by express from General Atkinson, informing me that the hos- 
tile Indians had, on the 28th of April, passed up Rock River. 
This information was one day too late. If I had received it in 
time I would have made Peoria the place to meet the pro- 
visions, and from that point to pursue the Indians — but the die 
was cast. I could not do otherwise than march to the Yel- 
low Banks. It is probable that if we had marched by Peoria, 
direct to Rock River, the campaign would have been closed ia 
eight or ten days. 

CHAPTER LXXX. 

The Army Marched to the Mississippi. — Swim Henderson River on 
the Route. — Army out of Provisions. — Boat Arrives with Supplies. — 
March to Rock Island. 

Early on a cold morning, the 27th of April, the army com- 
menced its march from the place of its organization, a few miles 
north of Rushville, to the Yellow Banks. The earth was very 
wet and muddy, there being no roads, which gave the troops 
some trouble in marching and crossing the muddy streams 
without bridges. Toward evening of the third day we reached 
Henderson River, which was high, the water running to the top 
of the banks. The stream here, toward the mouth, is forty or 
fifty yards wide, and runs like a mill-tail. No bridge, boats, or 
any mode to cross it, except by rafting and swimming the 
horses, and an army of almost two thousand strong stopped 
at it. A great portion of the volunteers had been raised in the 
backwoods, and rafting and swimming streams were familiar to 
them. 

The army was separated in two divisions, and each com- 
menced to make rafts and cross the river. Some narrow points 
in the river were discovered, and trees from each side were cut 
in the stream, so that their tops reached and made a foot-way 
on which some crossed. The horses were forced over by swim- 
ming the stream. We had little or no provisions. I think a 
wagon or two were lost in the river, but they were recovei'ed 
again when the water subsided. 

At the division where I acted in crossing the stream. Major 
McConnell and others were very active in forcing the horses 
down a high bank, so that they were compelled to swim over 



MY OWN TIMES. 22/ 

the river. Only one horse was drowned, and not a single man, 
in crossing almost two thousand volunteers, baggage and all, 
over Henderson River. The crossing was effected in less tJiau 
three hours, all exerting themselves with that energy and vigor 
that is peculiar to the backwoodsmen. It is astonishing that 
two thousand men, horses, baggage, and all, could be crossed 
over a stream of this size, in less than three hours, without the 
loss of anything, except a horse or two. I believe the same 
army, in less than one day, could raft and cross the Mississippi. 

When we reached the Yellow Banks, we found no provisions 
nor boat from St. Louis, although it was ordered to be there. I 
was in a critical situation. I had a large army a considerable 
distance out in the wilderness, and no provisions if the boat did 
not arrive from St. Louis. This was a time I passed with deep 
feelings of anxiety and pain for fear the boat and supplies 
would not reach the army. An accident to the vessel might 
occur, and thereby the army would be compelled to disband for 
the want of provisions. This was my situation for three days, 
the longest I thought I ever experienced. The army had liter- 
ally nothing to eat, and I heard murmurs escape the troops, 
complaining of me for the situation I had placed them in. But 
at last, one morning, the 6th of May, the steamboat William 
Wallace, hove in sight in the Mississippi with plenty of pro- 
visions. This sight, was, I presume, the most interesting I ever 
beheld. Colonel March conducted the boat, and arrived barely 
in time to save the disaster of disbanding the army. 

The evening after we reached the Yellow Banks, in a torrent 
of rain, Captain Warren, of Shelby County, with his company 
and another company, had swam the streams and joined us. It 
afforded the army much pleasure to witness the energy of these 
troops, and the volunteers greeted them with loud cheering. 

Before the arrival of the boat with the provisions, on the 5th 
of May, I engaged three trusty pioneers, Messrs. Huitt, Tun- 
nell, and Ames, of Green County, to deliver a letter that day to 
General Atkinson at Rock Island, about fifty miles from the 
Yellow Banks, informing him of our destitute condition. It 
was considered dangerous to swim creeks and the enemy lurk- 
ing about. The letter was delivered tJiat day, and a boat of 
provisions reached us the next day from Rock Island, but pro- 
visions by the William Wallace had arrived the morning of the 
same day. 

At Beardstown, I had dispatched three men, who I thought 
were trusty, to visit Rock Island, and obtain, if possible, correct 
information of the enemy. The army, if the Indians were not 
too far off, would subdue them on the march to Rock Island, 
and close the war in a few days. But to my unspeakable morti- 
fication, my messengers loitered at Fort Armstrong with the 
officers, and did not return to me until they came in the boat 



228 MY OWN TIMES. 

from Rock Island to the Yellow Banks. Only a few men can 
be trusted in every instance. 

Soon after the arrival of the provisions, with the energy inci- 
dent to the Illinois volunteers, we had ten days' provision issued 
to each soldier, and the baggage-wagons and all things ready 
for a march of the whole brigade direct to Dixon, on Rock 
River, where we heard of the enemy the last time. My spies 
had no information, and we relied on the knowledge of the 
enemy we received at Beardstown. But the boat just at dark 
that General Atkinson had sent down to us brought a letter to 
me informing me that Black Hawk and his band had descended 
the Rock River, and the letter also contained a request for the 
troops to march direct to Fort Armstrong, at Rock Island. We 
would have disregarded the latter part of the order, but if the 
Indians had descended Rock River, it was folly to march to 
Dixon when we were informed by General Atkinson we would 
find no enemy. We dashed our provisions into the boat in dis- 
gust, and all marched to the mouth of Rock River. 



CHAPTER LXXXI. 

Volunteers Received into the United States Service. — March up Rock 
River. — General Atkinson in Command. — Arrive at Dixon. — Orders 
to Major Stillman. 

We marched to the mouth of Rock River, where General 
Atkinson received the volunteers into the United States service 
and assumed the command. It was soon ascertained that Black 
Hawk and warriors had not descended the river, but were still 
up on Rock River. The army, under the order of Gen. Atkin- 
son, after receiving provisions, commenced its march up the 
river on the 9th of May, in pursuit of the enemy. Although I 
was not in command, it was considered proper by Gen. Atkinson 
and myself that I should remain with the army, and I did so. 
I discovered that my presence and council to the volunteers had 
a tendency to harmonize and conciliate them with the regular 
army. I had, immediately under my command, many troops 
guarding the frontiers, so that I considered it my duty to 
advance the service for me to act with the army all summer, 
and I did so. Although I never requested it, the President 
recognized me as a major-general, and paid me accordingly. 
Not any time during the summer, and long after the treaties 
with the Indians were made, did I know the rank and situation 
the General Government recognized me in. I performed all the 
services I did, on my own judgment, to advance the best inter- 
ests of the country. 

General Atkinson, with the regulan, four or five hundred 



MY OWN TIMES. 229 

strong, with cannon and provisions, sailed up Rock River. It 
was very swampy near the river, and tiie brigade was much 
troubled with bad travelhng, there being no roads. 

It made us sorry to see often at the camp-ground of Black 
Hawk a small dog immolated to appease the Great Spirit, and 
to relieve them from their calamity. It is the custom of the 
Indians, like the Asiatics of olden times, to sacrifice an animal 
to the Great Spirit to relieve the nation from a great calamity. 
The dog would be tied to a tree, his entrails cut out, and hang- 
ing, and a small fire had been made under him. The nose of 
the dog was always pointed the course the Indians were travel- 
ling. All reflecting persons during the whole Black-Hawk war 
were sorry that the deluded savages had forced us into the war. 
We were compelled to chastise them to secure the rights of the 
citizens, and to prevent them from killing the inhabitants. All 
the surrounding Indians were hostile, and ready to join Black 
Hawk, and had promised him. Under these circumstances we 
were acting in self-defence, and to repel the aggression of the 
deluded and wicked Indian, Black Hawk, and their leaders. 

On the day before we commenced the march up Rock River, 
I engaged two trusty and worthy spies. Colonel John Ewing 
and Major John A. Wakefield, to discover the location of the 
enemy if possible, and report to me on our progress up the 
river. I employed also a guide, Mr. Kinney, who could under- 
stand imperfectly the Sac language, to accompany them. 

On the loth of May, the spies met the army near the 
Prophet's town, on Rock River, and had captured an Indian. 
He informed us, truly, that Black Hawk and his band were 
on Rock River, above Dixon. About twelve miles above the 
Prophet's town we encamped, and decided to leave the onerous 
and cumbersome baggage and make a forced march to overtake 
the hostile Indians. I wrote a letter to General Atkinson of 
the facts, and we marched off early in the morning hoping to 
overtake Black Hawk in a short time. 

We reached Dixon on the morning of the 12th, and there 
received information from Colonels Stephenson, Strode, and 
others, that scouts had been out for fifty miles up the river, and 
around; that the hostile Indians had dispersed to collect food, 
and that they were nowhere near in a body. This information, 
coming from Mr. Dixon and other respectable sources, gained 
credence, and we gave up the pursuit of the enemy until Gen- 
eral Atkinson arrived with the boats and provisions. We had 
with us only provisions enough for a day or two and that Wcis 
nearly exhausted. This information was distressing and painful 
to the army, but we believed the report and acted on it accord- 
ingly. 

Judging from this information, I believe Black Hawk was 
about to reside on the lands of the Pottawatomies, and to pre- 



230 MY OWN TIMES. 

vent it I addressed a "talk" to the chiefs of that nation at the 
Pawpaw Grove. I selected five young and energetic men from 
the army, Major Dement, Colonels Stapp, and Joseph M. Chad- 
wick, and Messrs. Wyat Stapp, Benjamin Moore, and Louis 
Wilmatte, to bear the dispatch to the Indians. The Pawpaw 
Grove was about fifty miles from Dixon. These messengers in 
the cloudy weather got bewildered and fell in on a party of hos- 
tile Indians belonging to Black- Hawk's band. The Indians 
tried in a very adroit manner to decoy the whites to the large 
band of warriors, but the Americans eluded the attempt. After 
much diplomacy, on Jiorseback, the whites escaped to the main 
army, and the Indians to their grand army, both to obtain 
recruits. These young men were exhausted, as well as their 
horses, when they reached the army at Dixon. They had been 
on horseback almost forty-eight hours, without rest, food, or 
sleep, and were in danger of being killed. 

When the army arrived at Dixon and gave out the pursuit of 
the enemy for the present, we found the two battalions of Major 
Stillman and Bailey, whom I had ordered to protect the fron- 
tiers at Dixon, with plenty of provisions, and had performed 
little or no service since they were organized. 

The officers and privates of these battalions solicited me 
warmly to permit them to reconnoitre the frontiers, and report 
where the enemy were lodged, if they could discover it. 

It was rumored that a small band of the Black-Hawk party 
were camped at the head of "Old-Man's Creek," about twelve 
miles above Dixon. I considered that these troops would be 
better moving about than camped, and that it was my duty to 
place them on the frontier. They might discover the enemy. 
I signed the following order to Major Stillman: 

Dixon's Ferry, May 12th, i8j2. 
To Major Stillman: 

You will cause the troops under your immediate command 
and the battalion under Major Bailey, to proceed without delay, 
with four .days' provisions, to the head of "Old -Man's Creek," 
where it is supposed there are some hostile Indians, and coerce 
them into submission. 

JOHN REYNOLDS, 
Com. in Chief of the Illinois Militia. 



MY OWN TIMES. 231 



CHAPTER LXXXII. 

■Stillman's March. — Battle and Retreat. — Eleven White Men and Eight 
Indians Killed. 

Major Stillman was, at the time he commanded the battalion, 
a general of the militia north of the Illinois River, and was a 
military man in good standing. I knew many prominent men 
in this corps — Colonels Stephenson and Strode, and many other 
distinguished characters. One misfortune was, the officers, 
Stillman and Bailey, had some misunderstanding as to the com- 
mand of the battalion. 

On the 13th of May, in the morning, Major Stillman marched 
out from Dixon with military display. He had with him about 
two hundred and seventy-five men, with the necessary equip- 
ments. 

While the Brigade of General Whiteside was waiting for 
•General Atkinson and the provisions, so as to march against the 
enemy, about one o'clock of the ni^ht of the 15th of May, the 
stragglers and soldiers of Major Stilnnan, who had escaped from 
the battle, reached my tent at Dixon, and narrated such horrid 
and tragical stories of the disaster with the Indians, that it was 
truly alarming and shocking. The soldiers, after the retreat, 
arrived at Dixon in utter confusion, without the least order or 
discipline, and each one told his story according* to his own 
terrified imagination. According as the tales of woe and horror 
were told, they impressed the army at Dixon with the confused 
idea of much bloodshed and carnage. Those narrating the dis- 
aster generally believed and stated they were about all that had 
escaped. Often while one was telling of the destruction of his 
comrade, the person himself would appear and contradict the 
story of his death. Such confusive and contradictory statements 
were at first told, that no one knew what to believe. I recollect 
that my first impression was that most of the battalion were 
destroyed, but the stragglers kept coming in until we saw that 
the affair was not so bad as we had expected it to be at first. 

In the morning, the troops who were in the battle were 

paraded, and it appeared that fifty -two were absent, and wg 

presumed that number had been killed. This figure got into the 

, papers from the morning's report, and circulated throughout the 

United States. 

Major Stillman had marched his battalion twenty-five miles 
■up Rock River, in a wrong direction frqm my order, and was 
about sunset the second day, (the 14th of May, 1832,) preparing 
to camp within a few miles of the main lodgment of Black- 
Hawk, and a portion of his band. During the preparations to 



232 MY OWN TIMES. 

camp the troops were in much confusion and disorder. The 
Major had omitted to have either spies or sentinels out at this 
important crisis. In this confused state of the troops, some 
unsaddling their horses, others making fires, some fixing tent 
poles, and all in a state of easy carelessness and security, three 
Indians, unarmed, with a white flag, made their appearance near 
the encampment. These Indians gave themselves up, and were 
taken into custody, as hostages, by order of the officers. Not 
many, or perhaps any of the Americans understood the Indian 
language sufficiently to hold a conversation with them, but it 
would seem, the circumstances of the case were sufficiently 
expressive to make all understand the motive of the prisoners. 
Soon after the three unarmed Indians were taken into custody, 
six armed Indians appeared on horseback on a hill three-fourths. 
of a mile from the encampment. Without any orders, a few 
soldiers and some officers commenced an irregular chase of the 
Indians, on horseback, and pursued them for four or five miles. 
During this race in the prairie, a great portion of the troops 
mounted their horses and joined, without orders, in the dis- 
orderly chase of the Indians. The whites became engaged in 
the pursuit, and having the best horses, overtook two Indians 
and killed them. Major Hackleton, of Fulton County, was dis- 
mounted, and had a personal combat with an Indian, also dis- 
mounted. By assistance from the whites, the Major killed his 
tawny antagonist. In this irregular running conflict three 
Indians were killed, without any loss of the whites. 

During this skirmish, which extended over four or five miles, 
of the smooth prairie, between the encampment and the mouth 
of Sycamore Creek, the volunteers at the camp knowing blood 
was shed, attempted to kill the three unarmed Indians, who hn'* 
been taken into custody as hostages, under the protection of tu^ 
white flag. One Indian was killed, but in the dark and confu- 
sion the other two escaped unhurt. 

At the time Stillman's volunteers had this running skirmish 
in the prairie, Black Hawk had many of his friends of the Potta- 
watomie nation feasting with him on dog meat. He had a lodg- 
ment established on Rock River at the mouth of Sycamore 
Creek, at which place he was entertaining his friends at the 
time. 

The retreating Indians had almost reached the camp of Black 
Hawk, where he was feasting, and the whites at their heels, 
hooping, yelling, and shouting, after the manner of a disorderly 
battle with the Indians. This uproar alarmed Black Hawk and 
the Indians at the feast, and they, in a hasty, tumultuous man- 
ner, mounted their horses, snatched up their arms, and rushed 
out in all the fury of a mad lioness in defence of their women 
and children. 

Black Hawk took a prudent and wise stand, concealed behind 



MY OWN TIMES. 233 

some woods, (then nearly dark,) so that the straggh'ng and 
unmanageable forces of Major Stillman approached near him. 

It was a crisis with the Indians — they fought in defence of all 
they held the most sacred on earth, and they performed their 
operations under the eye of an experienced warrior, Black Hawk 
himself 

This aged warrior and his band (all he could muster at the 
moment) marched out from his concealment, and fell in with 
fury and havoc on the disorderly troops of Stillman, who were 
scattered for miles over the prairie. Black Hawk turned the 
tide of war, and chased the whites with great fury. 

The camp of Black Hawk was five or six miles from the 
encampment of Major Stillman, and the Indians forced the 
whites back to the white camp with great speed, and killed in 
the chase one white man. 

By the time the volunteers reached Stillman's camp it was 
quite dark and the troops at the camp, hearing the yelling, 
terrible sounds of the horses' feet, and shooting, supposed all the 
warriors of the whole Black Hawk band were on them like an 
avalanche. This produced a general panic and indifference of 
the exertions of the officers and the volunteers, although placed 
in battle array at the camp, fled with their comrades whom 
Black Hawk was chasing. 

A small muddy creek flowed near the camp of Stillman, and 
the crossing of it was difficult for both whites and Indians. 
Horses mired in it, and some white men were killed in it. This 
creek has been baptised with the name of Stillman's Run, which 
it retains to this day. After the troops crossed the creek, the 
officers made an effort to rally them, but to no purpose. A 
general and furious retreat was commenced, each one seeking 
his own safety according to his own discretion. It was in this 
confused and precipitated flight, where most of the volunteers, 
who were killed, closed their eyes forever. One case in particu- 
lar, among many others, excited much sympathy and deep feel- 
ing: Captain Adams was found dead with two Indians, also 
dead, near him. This bloody personal combat was off from the 
general route, a short distance up the creek. The evidence was 
seen the next day by many, of the most shocking fight between 
three men, and all three lay dead within a few feet of each other. 
No one remained alive to tell the story of the battle. They 
fought with every class of weapon in their possession, and the 
guns shivered, and the mortal wounds inflicted, proved that all 
were used in this deadly conflict. The earth was soft in the 
spring, and the evidence next day remained on it of the utmost 
exertions of human power in this battle, yvhere two contended 
against one. The wounds were deep and numerous on the three 
dead bodies, made by rifle balls, spears, tomahawks, and butcher 
knives. The Indians did not scalp Captain Adams, giving him 
the honor of a great brave. 



234 MY OWN TIMES. 

The Indians chased the whites twelve or fifteen miles, and 
the horses of the volunteers being the fleetest, saved the corps. 

It is difficult to ascertain exactly the number of Indians under 
Black Hawk that were engaged in the battle. Black Hawk in 
his book says he had only forty in all, and judging from all I 
can discover in the premises, I believe the number of warriors 
were between fifty and sixty — some of the volunteers engaged 
in the scene supposed them to be several hundred, and some 
presumed them to be all of Black Hawk's warriors, which would 
swell them up to four or five hundred. 

It was true, as it was reported to me by confidential scouts, 
that the warriors at the time were not in a body, but were 
scattered in search of roots to eat, and that only a few were 
together in a band. It is an incontestable fact, that Black 
Hawk had made no arrangements for the battle, or otherwise 
he would not have been found at his ease — feasting his friends 
among his women and children — and it is astonishing that he 
did make such an effort on the spur of the occasion as he did. 
He had, I presume, the permission of the Pottawatomies, on 
whose land he was, to establish a village there, as the squaws 
had commenced to sow their seeds, and to plant their grain for 
a crop, on Rock River, at the mouth of Sycamore Creek. 

Black Hawk says in his book, which I believe to be true, that 
he tried at Stillman's Run to call back his warriors, as he sup- 
posed the whites were making a sham retreat on purpose to 
draw him into an ambuscade of the whole army, under General 
Whiteside. He says he had not the least idea that the whites 
were retreating in good earnest, but he could not draw off his 
young warriors. Their courage gave him great pleasure, as he 
stated. 

Major Hackleton and some others on foot escaped, and 
reached the army at Dixon in safety. It was ascertained the 
next day after the battle, that only eleven white men were 
killed, instead of the number first reported to have been slain, 
M'hich greatly quieted the public mind. About eight Indians 
were killed in all. 

The cause of this disaster was the want of discipline, subor- 
dination, and the proper previous arrangements of the officers. 
The material of this corps was as good and efficient as ever 
appeared "in the deadly breach;" but they were citizens unin- 
formed in the science and art of war. If those volunteers, 
officers, and privates, had been trained to war, and commanded 
by an Anthony Wayne or an Andrew Jackson, they would 
have been able to whip, in a pitched battle. Black Hawk and 
his whole band. This battle and hasty retreat was much con- 
demned by the army and the public generally. 

The Indians destroyed all the wagons and property, which 
the volunteers abandoned in their camps. I saw, the next day 



MY OWN TIMES. 235 

after the battle, the fragments of cut and burned wagons, and 
other articles, that showed the evidence of savage warfare. 
Empty kegs were also left, that had contained, as the Indians 
call it, "fire-water." This was a partial cause of the disasters, it 
was supposed at the time. 



CHAPTER LXXXIII. 

A Call for Two Thousand Volunteers. — The Army March to the Battle 
Ground and Bury the Dead. — The Volunteers Return to Dixon. 

On the same night that I obtained the information of the 
disaster of Major Stillman, I ordered out two thousand new 
volunteers, and made preparations to defend the frontiers more 
efficiently. This battle decided the affair to be zvar; and I 
knew the Indians would commit depredations on the inhabi- 
tants. I also discovered disaffection in the army under General 
Whiteside, and that it was improbable that we could reach the 
enemy with the present brigade. Disaffection existed as to 
some of the commanding officers. I knew it would be easy to 
disband the new levies of volunteers if they were not needed. 
At all events, I wrote out the orders by candle-light for the new 
troops, on my own responsibility, without the requisition of the 
General Government, and had all ready by daylight for the 
expresses to start with them to the respective counties. 

I appointed John Ewing, Robert Black well, and John A. 
Wakefield to distribute the orders to the various counties — and 
they performed their duty efficiently. 

I also, the same night, empowered Colonel Strode, who was 
present, and the Colonel of Joe Davis County, to organize the 
militia of his county, and defend it with them. I gave him 
great power and he acted well. 

General Dodge was camped in the vicinity, on the north side 
of Rock River, and I wrote him, also at night, the facts of Still- 
man's disaster, and that his frontiers of Wisconsin would be in 
danger. He returned immediately to Wisconsin. 

I appointed Major Horn to carry a dispatch to St. Louis, to 
Colonel March, the quartermaster, to provide provisions for the 
two thousand volunteers at Hennepin, on the Illinois. I wrote 
a letter, also in the same night, to General Atkinson, coming up 
the river in barges to Dixon, of the disaster of Major Stillman, 
and that the army were in need of provisions. The last order 
was to Major Adams, now of Alton, to procure at Quincy, corn 
for the horses. All these orders were issued and recorded by 
my staff- officers in a short time, just before day on the 15th of 
May, and all the messengers were off by daylight. The new 



236 MY OWN TIMES. 

levies were to meet, some at Beardstown, on the 3d of June, and 
the others at Hennepin, on the loth of the same month. 

It will be seen by the above dates, that the time to rendezvous 
was exceedingly short. The expresses had to ride on horse- 
back from Dixon to the counties in the southern section of the 
State, and the troops to assemble and march back several hun- 
dred miles in this limited time. The precaution I observed to 
cause the volunteers to be organized aided much in this hasty 
call of the volunteers. 

Early in the morning of the 15th of May, some beeves were 
slaughtered, all the provisions mustered, and the army marched 
to the battle-ground. It was about twenty-five miles from 
Dixon; and when we reached the scene, in the evening, it 
looked melancholy and appalling to troops who had, for the 
first time, witnessed such a sight. The bodies of the volunteers 
who had been killed, were mostly cut and m'angled in a horrid 
manner. Many horses also lay dead on the scene of action. 
All the bodies, and parts of bodies that could be found, were 
buried, and the army remained on the ground all night. 

When it was discovered that only eleven white men were 
killed, it was a general rejoicing that the disaster was no worse. 

The night that we were camped here we heard the reports of 
large guns, which we supposed were signals to collect in the 
warriors for defence, but we were then out of provisions, and 
could not pursue them. Major Henry and his spy-battalion 
were ordered out to reconnoitre, and he reported that the 
Indians had left in great haste, and were not near, as he pre- 
sumed. The next day, the i6th, the army marched back again 
to Dixon for provisions, at which place, upon our return, we 
found that the boats with them had not yet arrived. 



CHAPTER LXXXIV. 

The whole Army March in Pursuit of the Indians. — Return Home by 
Ottawa 

On the 17th of May, I ordered a regiment to be formed out of 
the two battalions of Stillman and Bailey, and to elect a colonel. 
General Johnson, of McLean County, was elected colonel of the 
regiment. On the same day. General Atkinson arrived with the 
provisions. He ordered a fort of turf to be erected on the north 
side of Rock River, opposite Dixon, in which to store the pro- 
visions and to protect them. 

The volunteers remaining idle at Dixon some days, and that 
without provisions, became dissatisfied, and murmured for home. 
They said the truth, that they had volunteered in such a hurry 
to protect the frontiers, and had not arranged to remain in the 



MY OWN TIMES. 237 

service only for a short time, as they expected the Indians 
would be chastised in a few days. They had no clothes with 
them, and many of their families were not provided for at home. 
These were all true statements I knew, and I knew, also, that 
the term of their enlistment was undefined, and they had the 
power to return after the performance of the service they had 
done; but I appealed to their patriotism, and exerted whatever 
influence I had, and prevailed on them to remain in service for 
tvvelve or fifteen days longer, as the object of the campaign was 
not accomplished. They consented to my request, and prepared 
provisions for a march in search of the enemy. 

After the regiment of Colonel Johnson was organized, Gen- 
eral Atkinson receiyed it into the United States service, and a 
part of it, with the Colonel, he ordered to Ottawa, to defend 
that post, whilst the other part remained at Dixon to guard the 
stores. 

On the 19th of May the whole army, volunteers and regulars, 
under the command of General Atkinson, commenced the 
march up Rock River in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band. 
My staff and myself also marched with the army. I pursued 
this course to conciliate good feelings in the army, and to assist 
generally in the campaign. 

General Atkinson and staff, with the cannon, marched with 
the volunteers, and toward evening an express reached us 
informing us of the murder of several families on Indian Creek, 
fifteen miles north of Ottawa. This murder caused the General 
to return to the frontiers to give protection to the inhabitants. 
He ordered the army under General Whiteside and Colonel 
Taylor to pursue the Indians, and caused the regulars who had 
ascended the river to return to Dixon. Colonel Harney, and 
many distinguished officers of the United States army, marched 
with the volunteers. Major Long's battalion left the boat and 
marched with the mounted men. It was like following a 
shadow, to pursue Black Hawk and his band, and so uncertain 
to overtake the enemy that our men became disheartened and 
murmured considerably. 

After several days' march, the army reached a large Pottawa- 
tomie village on Sycamore Creek, but no Indians were in it. 
The trail of Black Hawk led to it, and there we found, cached 
in the earth, some of the articles the enemy had captured at 
Stillman's battle. We also found scalps, taken at the Indian 
Creek murder, near Ottawa. We concluded that Black Hawk 
had marched to this Indian town thinking to obtain protection 
by the Pottawatomie; but his friends of the other nations of 
Indians were afraid to do it, although no doubt they had 
promised it. Our large force in the field prevented it. From 
this village the Indian trail seemed to diverge, and scatter, as if 
on purpose to elude our pursuit. 



238 MY OWN TIMES. 

While the army lay at this village, Major William G. Brown 
and my brother, Thomas Reynolds, were out all night in search 
of lost horses, and in the dark came in direct contact with a 
large Indian force. This band of Black Hawk was secretly 
and silently stealing off in the dark to get away from the 
whites and to join their comrades. These volunteers reported 
a large body of the enemy, and it is strange that they were not 
killed. This information made the army believe that a great 
part of the enemy were not far off. The trails of the Indians 
pointed north, toward Rock River, and the course home, by 
Ottawa, was south, so that at this point it made the army 
decide whether they would pursue the Indians any further or 
return home. General Atkinson gave me the power to dis- 
charge the army at any moment when in my judgment it was 
proper. A great disposition was expressed by many of the 
officers against pursuing the enemy any longer. All the regu- 
lar officers, and particularly Colonel Taylor, afterwards the 
president of the United States, urged on the volunteers 
strongly to continue the march in pursuit of the Indians for a 
few days. I exerted all my influence to continue on, and the 
officers agreed at least to have a meeting and the majority 
should govern. I convened all of the officers, captains and 
upwards, in my tent, early in the morning, and after long dis- 
cussions I put the question to vote. It was an equal vote, 
one-half for pursuing the Indians, and the other half for return- 
ing home. By some means General Whiteside was not disposed 
to follow the enemy any longer, and said if a majority of the 
officers decided to pursue the Indians, he would not do it. He 
was the commander when General Atkinson was not present. 
No doubt if Atkinson had been there the army would have 
continued on. We had some days' provisions, and in one or 
two days, by forced marches, the enemy might be reached. I 
proposed to make a fort at this Indian village for those unable 
or unwilling to march to remain at until we returned from the 
pursuit of the enemy, but no entreaty would prevail, and we 
had not the power to command, as it was vested in General 
Whiteside. 



CHAPTER LXXXV. 

The Army Returned Home. — Discharged at Ottawa. — A Regiment 
Volunteered to Guard the Frontier. — Capt. Snyder's Battle with the 
Indians. 

It was decided at the Pottawatomie Village that the army 
would march to Ottawa and be discharged. Colonel Taylor, 
Major Harney, of the regular army, and many volunteer offi- 
cers and myself, discussed the matter, whether it would not be 



MY OWN TIMES. 239 

proper to raise a volunteer corps to pursue the Indians; but we 
concluded it would look riotous and reckless to divide the army, 
and it might not advance the interest of the country, and 
accordingly we were, with heavy hearts, compelled to surrender 
the pursuit of the enemy for the time present. 

We marched four days south to Ottawa, with deep feelings of 
mortification, and with irritable and bad feelings also. On the 
route, we found some of the scalps of the women and children 
who had been killed on Indian Creek. They no doubt were 
laid on our trail by the Indians, as a bravado, and to tantalize 
us. I recollect well the hair of an infant, and that of an aged 
lady that was perfectly gray. This sight at the Indian village 
would have decided the army to seek vengeance on the perpe- 
trators of this murder. 

I had the power to discharge the army at my discretion, and 
on the 27th and 28th days of May, at Ottawa, the whole army 
was discharged. 

On the 28th, Gen. Atkinson crossed over from Dixon to 
Ottawa with only his staff, which was considered dangerous. 
He highly approved of my conduct in calling out the volun- 
teers, as I did at Dixon, and requested of me one thousand 
more, making in all three thousand strong, besides a thousand 
or more to guard the frontiers. 

I dispatched efficient messengers to raise the new troops. I 
called on the counties, nearest to the scene of action, who were 
not in the last campaign. Thus ended this campaign without 
effecting anything, although many of the most talented and 
conspicuous characters in the State were in it, and the same 
may be said of the regular officers. Col. Taylor, the hero of 
Buena Vista, the late president of the United States, and Major 
Harney, the champion of Cerra Gorda, and many other dis- 
tinguished officers, were also in this campaign. I felt the 
deepest mortification to be compelled to abandon the cam- 
paign without any good result, and that, too, with as fine a 
corps as ever appeared in the tended field; but such is the fate 
of war. The enemy could not under that arrangement be over- 
taken. The same reverses a few years afterward were experi- 
enced in the Seminole war in Florida. 

On the 28th of May, I received notice that a fine regiment, 
under the command of Col. Moore, from Vermillion County, 
appeared on the frontiers to give immediate relief to the 
inhabitants, and as they had performed the services they con- 
templated, they were ordered home with the thanks of the 
commander-in-chief of the militia for their promptness in the- 
defence (jL the frontiers. 

Marching with the volunteers, I met General Atkinson at 
Ottawa, where the army was discharged, and we knew well the 
bitter feelings of the Indians aeainst the whites. The Indians 



240 MY OWN TIMES. 

far and near were poisoned against the Americans by Black 
Hawk, and the settlements were in imminent danger before 
other troops could reach the frontiers. 

Under these exciting circumstances, both the general and 
myself appealed to the patriotism of the disbanded troops to 
organize one regiment for twenty days to protect the frontiers. 
The regiment volunteered, and were organized, Jacob Fry was 
elected colonel, James D. Henry, lieutenant-colonel, and John 
Thomas, major. There were six companies in the regiment. 

A part of the company of Adam W. Snyder was ordered to 
make a stand at Kellog's Grove, and scour the country. The 
companies generally consisted of sixty or seventy men. Major 
John Thomas, although he had command of a battalion, and 
Capt. Snyder's company composed part of it, he preferred leav- 
ing his command at Ottawa and acting as high private. 

On the night of the 15th of June, 1832, the sentinels were 
posted around the station at Kellog's Grove, within about 
eighty yards of the encampment. About midnight, of an 
extremely cloudy, dark night, with vivid flashes of lightning, a 
sentinel, although he kept up a most vigilent watch, heard an 
Indian breathe a long breath, which was the first indication of 
the near approach of the Indian warriors. The sentinel was 
placed at a tree in an old field, and the Indian was at the other 
side of the same tree. The white man leaned his body around 
the tree to see if he could discern the enemy, and at that 
moment a flash of lightning enabled him to see three Indians 
well armed within two or three feet of him. The American 
soldier, as quick as thought, attempted to run the nearest man 
through with his bayonet, but he was so near the Indian that 
he hit his shoulder with his gun, and the warrior grasped the 
soldier. The Indian got so close to the white man that the gun 
and bayonet were useless. The Indian seized his foe, but the 
American, with superior strength and energy in the twinkling 
of an eye, hurled the Indian from him, and run with his gun to 
the tents hollowing at the top of his voice, "Indians! Indians!" 
The Indians pursued him to within twenty yards of the camp, 
and shot at him, but missed him. In the morning the tracks of 
the Indians were seen at the tree, and the ground torn up where 
the scuffle occurred between the white man and Indian. Also 
the moccasin tracks of the Indians were seen pursuing the sen- 
tinel within a short distance of the tents. 

The shouting of the sentinel showed him in danger and in a 
■"tight fit," which wakened the troops before the Indian fired his 
gun; but the report of the gun roused all the Americans to 
arms in a few seconds. It was supposed that the Indians saw 
the sentinel when it lightened, and crept up in their stealthy 
manner to the opposite side of the tree from him, and was 
about to strike the tomahawk into the white man, when he was 



MY OWN TIMES. 24I 

•discovered as above stated. It was strange how the sentinel 
escaped. The rest of the guards stood at their posts until the 
gallant officers, Maj. Riley and Capt. Snyder called them in, 
All the troops remained under arms until daylight, expecting 
every minute a sanguinary conflict in the dark, like that at Tip- 
pecanoe, but the enemy did not approach. 

Early in the morning, Capt. Snyder mustered all his mounted 
men to pursue the Indians who had been around the fort. The 
•object of the Indians was to steal horses, and they had taken 
one blind horse. Maj. Thomas volunteered with the company 
in pursuit of the Indians. He preferred danger and action 
to a quiet life in a fort at Ottawa. The troops under the com- 
mand of Capt. Snyder amounted to twenty-five men, including 
the officers. Capt. Snyder, ist heut. John Winstanly, and 2d 
heut. John T. Lusk. The Indian trail was pursued with great 
activity in a south-west course for sixteen or eighteen miles. 
The Indians seemed to strike for the Mississippi, and made 
great effort to escape the vigilant Capt. Snyder and company. 

In a deep ravine by a fountain, the Indians were cooking 
their breakfast. They had on the fire their kettle and other 
preparations for their meal. It was supposed by the trail and 
-other signs there were six or seven Indians in all. They saw 
the whites first and fled, leaving all behind them, blind horse 
and all, except their guns. They then turned their course back, 
almost on the same route they had come from the spring where 
they were cooking. This made Maj. Thomas, Capt. Snyder, and 
others, believe the Indians were seeking their comrades, who 
were in a large body in the neighborhood, which induced the 
whites to pursue them with more caution and activity. The 
Indians returned within two or three miles of Kellog's Grove, 
where they were discovered, on a high hill, almost a mile in 
advance. The volunteers had to cross a muddy creek which 
detained them some time, but in a short distance the Indians 
were discovered concealed in a ravine made by a stream of 
water. The whites rushed on them with caution, from tree to 
tree; but Macomson, seeing one of the Indians exposed, pre- 
pared to shoot him, but the Indian was too quick for him and 
shot him first. Two balls entered his body near the side of the 
lower abdomen, and the wound was mortal. In a few seconds, 
all the four Indians in the ravine were killed, but they fired and 
fought with desperate courage. One large warrior in the bloody 
carnage came out of the gully and hollowed aloud as if shout- 
ing to his brother warriors at a distance. At his return, he was 
shot with a half-dozen balls, and fell never to rise again. The 
bodies of these four warriors lay in the gully, and their bones 
to bleach on the scene of this bloody conflict. If there had 
been more Indians in the band, they had escaped before the 
whites came upon them. 
16 



242 MY OWN TIMES. 

Macomson lay mortally wounded, and his gun by him stilf 
loaded. A litter was made of poles and blankets on which to 
carry him to Kellog's Grove, which was two or three miles oft.. 
It required four men at a time to carry him. This operation 
discomfitted the troops very much. Many of the guns of the 
soldiers were changed, and some were not again loaded at all. 
Although every one knew there was imminent danger, yet the 
volunteers risked their lives for the want of discipline. The 
troops had marched in a run, most of the day, more than thirty 
miles in pursuit of the Indians they had killed, and parties were 
permitted to search for water. About three-quarters of a mile 
from the place where the four Indians were killed Macomson, 
demanded to be let down to rest. In fact, he was then dying, 
and complaining for water. 

Gen. Whiteside, Johnson, and Taylor, went on one side to 
look for water, and Dr. Richard Roman, Benj. Scott, McDaniel, 
Dr. F. Jarrot, and Dr. Cornelius retired on the other side in the 
same pursuit for water. The last-named party, five in all, were 
moving slowly down a ridge to a point having a bushy ravine 
on each side of them. The warriors of Black Hawk, to the 
amount of from ninety to a hundred, lay concealed in these 
ravines on both sides of the whites, and fired more than fifty 
guns at them as it was supposed. The number of Indians was 
ascertained by their different places of concealment in the grass 
and bushes in the ravines on each side of the five volunteers. 

In the first fire, Benjamin Scott and McDaniel, both of 

St. Clair County, were instantly killed, and the Indians were so 
near them that their clothes were powder- burnt. It was a 
miracle that the whole five men were not killed. The sur- 
vivors, the three doctors, retreated with all possible speed on 
their horses to the main body, who were guarding the dying 
Macomson. 

The volunteers were taken by surprise. A retreat was inevi- 
table, and the best and only course that could save the detach- 
ment. After remaining in that position some short time, and 
firing a few guns at the Indians without effect, the volunteers 
retired in good order to wait for re-inforcement from Major 
Riley. 

Capt. Snyder had ordered a messenger to go two or three 
miles to Kellog's Grove and solicit relief from Maj. Riley, but 
he had not gone. Maj. Thomas volunteered his service which 
was accepted. It was considered exceedingly dangerous for one 
man to make this trip, as it was supposed the Indians would 
waylay him on the route. Thomas reached the fort in safety, 
and Maj. Riley and two companies of infantry were on the rim 
to relieve the captain, in a few minutes after Thomas' arrival. 

Maj. Riley found Capt. Snyder and the volunteers waiting 
the re-inforcement to enable them to attack the enemy, but 



MY OWN TIMES. 243 

Riley then had the command and he considered it unwise and 
headstrong to attempt anything that night. The whole force 
marched back to Kellog's Grove, but returned at an early hour 
to the bloody scene of the day before. 

The Indians had been concealed, expecting the whole white 
force at night, but had retired about daylight. It rained that 
night, and the enemy left after the rain. 

The dead bodies of Scott, McDaniel, and Macomson, were 
decently interred at Kellog's Grove, and the main army arriv- 
ing on the frontiers, the brave and efficient company under the 
command of equally brave and efficient officers were discharged 
on the 19th of June, at Dixon's Ferry, by Col. Taylor. The 
whole regiment was also discharged. 



CHAPTER LXXXVI. 

Indian Depredations. — Attack of Apple-Creek Fort. — Brilliant Victory 
of Gen. Dodge. — Capt. Stephenson's Battle. 

The country was all in a panic on account of Indian murders 
being committed in every direction; and in fact the savages ex- 
hibited a courage and propensity for bloodshed that was, on the 
frontiers, appalling. Fifteen persons — men, women, and chil- 
dren — were killed of three families. Hall, Davis, and Pettigrew. 
Two girls, the Miss Halls, were taken prisoners. 

On the 22d May, Gen. Atkinson despatched Mr. St. Vrain, 
and some other persons, as an express from Dixon to Rock 
Island, and they were all killed by the Indians. A man was 
killed on Bureau Creek, within a few miles of Princeton, and 
several others in the region north of Ottawa. 

About the time the new troops reached the rendezvous at 
Fort Wilburn, Black Hawk, with about one hundred and fifty 
warriors, made an attack on Apple Creek Fort, twelve miles 
south of Galena, and attempted to storm it. This fort was 
made in wooden-stockade fashion, with strong block-houses at 
the corners. It was defended by twenty-five men who fought 
with the greatest courage, believing that it was better to die in 
the fort than to be butchered by the Indians. The enemy took 
possession of some cabins near the fort, and made great efibrts 
to burn and capture the fort. The battle was kept up for fifteen 
hours, with desperate fury on both sides, when the Indians 
retreated. A messenger reached Galena and gave the alarm. 
Col. Strode, with a respectable force from Galena, arrived after 
the enemy had left. The Indians had killed much of the stock 
and took away cattle, horses, and flour, as much as they could 
carry. It is supposed that many of the disaffected Pottawa- 
tomie and Winnebago Indians were in this attack on Apple- 



244 MY OWN TIMES. 

Creek Fort, under the command of Black Hawk. The loss of 
the Indians in this battle could not be ascertained, but in the 
fort only one man was killed and one wounded. 

On the 24th June, two men were killed by the Indians, and 
one made his escape to Fort Hamilton, east of Galena, forty or 
fifty miles. Soon after the skirmish Gen. Dodge came to the 
fort with twenty men, and immediately pursued the trail of the 
Indians. The heroic commander and his equally brave troops 
reached the Indians at the Pecatonica Creek — the enemy took 
refuge under the bank of the creek. The Americans rushed on 
the Indians, eleven in number, and killed all of them. General 
Dodge lost three of his men, and one wounded. This action, 
although small, was achieved with great intrepidity and suc- 
cess, so much so that it gained the noble and undaunted heroes 
engaged in it much honor and character. 

Capt. Stephenson, of Galena, and part of his company about 
the same time fell in with a party of Indians between Apple- 
Creek Fork and Kellog's Grove. The whites ran the Indians 
five miles in the prairie, and the red men at last took refuge in 
a dense thicket surrounded by the prairie. The captain and his 
small detachment, with great courage, charged on the Indians 
three different times, and were always repulsed. The Indians 
had the advantage, being concealed in the thick bushes and the 
whites approaching them. Stephenson had three of his men 
killed, and he himself was wounded in the breast, which was 
supposed to be mortal. He was compelled to abandon the 
Indians. It is not known how many Indians, if any, were 
killed. This was considered a rash and reckless charge, show- 
ing a desperate courage. 

After arranging matters on the frontiers, I returned to the 
settlements to see if the call for new levies was advancing, to 
recruit the army again. I discovered that the masses were 
enthusiastic, and preparing for the service in great numbers. 
I remained at home only a few days, and then returned to the 
frontiers again. 



CHAPTER LXXXVII. 

Arrival of the Troops on the Frontiers. — Organization of the New 
Army. — Major Dement's Battle. 

The troops, four companies, met at Beardstown, on the Illi- 
nois River, as ordered, about the third of June, and elected two 
talented and efficient officers to command them. T. W. Smith, 
one of the judges of the supreme court, was elected lieutenant- 
colonel, and Sidney Breese, a prominent and distinguished 
lawyer, major of the spy-battalion. This corps marched on 



MY OWN TIMES, 245 

the frontiers north of the IlHnois River to Fort Wilburn, the 
place that the army was organized. 

As I returned to the frontiers I found many of the troops 
already at Hennepin, but they were ordered to Fort Wilburn. 
Col. March had ordered Lieut. Wilburn with some provisions up 
the Illinois River, and he erected a small establishment which 
was called Fort Wilburn. It was situated on the southern bank 
of the Illinois River, about a mile above Peru. 

At this point, several thousand volunteers and citizens ap- 
peared, so that the country on both sides of the river was cov- 
ered with human beings and horses. It was extremely difficult, 
and required both patience and judgment to organize this great 
mass of people into an army without causing some dissatisfac- 
tion, and at the same time to make it efficient. The war had 
attracted attention, and many of the most prominent and con- 
spicuous men in the State appeared on the frontier and wanted 
office. 

I decided that the officers should be chosen by the troops 
over whom they were to act; and, therefore, all above the Cap- 
tains were elected. At first the volunteers were all unknown to 
one another; but in two campaigns some developments of char- 
acter were made, which enabled the troops to select proper 
officers. Three brigades were organized by myself, on consul- 
tation with the captains of companies, and three generals were 
elected by the troops to command them. 

On the i6th of June, Alexander Posey was elected general of 
the first brigade; on the 17th, Milton K. Alexander was elected 
general of the second; and on the i8th, James D. Henry was 
elected general of the third. Thus organized, these troops were 
received into the service of the United States by General Atkin- 
son, who was present and commanded them. The first num- 
bered one thousand and one men; the second, nine hundred 
and fifty-nine; and the third, one thousand two hundred and 
thirty-two. I procured General Atkinson to make Judge 
Brown, who was one of the judges of the supreme court, one of 
his aids, so as to establish a friendly feeling between the regular 
officers and those of the volunteers. 

I appointed my staff. My two aids were Alexander F. Grant, 
of Gallatin County, and Benjamin F. Hickman, of Franklin 
County. These two gentlemen were talented and agreeable 
officers, and performed their duties, which were at times labori- 
ous, with efficiency. I appointed T. W. Smith, judge of the 
supreme court, adjutant-general; James Turney, paymaster- 
general; and Enoch C. March, quartermaster-general. My staff 
were distinguished and efficient gentlemen. They were all 
recognized by the government, and paid. 

On the 1 2th of June I ordered a battalion to be organized, 
and to elect their officers, to guard the frontiers between the 



246 MY OWN TIMES. 

Mississippi and Peoria, on the north of Illinois River. Samuel 
Bogart was elected major of the battalion. I ordered forts to 
be erected on the frontiers from the Mississippi to Chicago. 
Capts. Eads and Dorsey, with their companies, were taken into 
service to defend the frontiers. 

On the 19th of June, I organized the companies of Buck- 
master, Payne, and Walker into a battalion, and appointed Col. 
Nathaniel Buckmaster, major, to command it. I ordered him 
to guard the frontiers between Ottawa and Chicago. He per- 
formed his service to the satisfaction of the public. I also 
authorized Major Bailey to take command of a battalion of 
mounted men and guard Chicago and vicinity during the war. 
He performed his duty to the entire satisfaction of the public. 
Many of the frontier inhabitants who were driven into Chicago, 
without support, found relief from the public stores by the 
benevolence of Major Bailey. 

On the 1 6th of June, Col. John Dement was elected major of 
a spy-battalion, and attached to the brigade of Gen. Posey. 
On the 17th, Gen. Atkinson ordered him to march to Dixon 
with his battalion, and report himself to Col. Taylor. His 
command consisted of three companies, whose captains were 
Dobbins, Bowman, and Stephenson. These companies were 
citizens of the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, and Marion. The 
staff-officers of Major Dement were — Lieut.-Gov. Anderson, 
adjutant; Gov. Z. Casey, regimental -paymaster; and Col. S. 
Hicks, quartermaster. Thus officered and organized, Major 
Dement was ordered from Fort Wilburn, by the Bureau settle- 
ment, to Fort Dixon, and there report to Col. Taylor. With 
these orders, Major Dement took up the line of march in the 
Black-Hawk war. 

This battalion was composed of most excellent material. 
The officers were many of them among the most conspicuous 
and vx'brthy characters in the State, and the rank and file were 
intelligent, hardy, and patriotic citizens. Their only misfortune 
was the want of discipline and organization, without which a 
military corps cannot act with efficiency. 

On the march of this battalion to the Bureau settlement night 
overtook them in a large prairie, and there they camped in it. 
A sentinel fired his gun, as he said, at an Indian who had a 
piece of fire in his hand. The report of his gun gave the alarm 
and all were aroused to arms. After some time preparing for 
the enemy, who did not approach, a party took the sentinel to 
the place where he said he saw the Indian with a torch of fire in 
his hand, and the sentinel exclaimed "there the Indian is again, 
with the same fire in his hand!" but lo and behold, it was the 
moon just rising above the horizon that the sentinel supposed 
was an Indian with a torch in his hand. At times the immag- 
ination will work wonders. This mistake of the sentinel 
afforded the volunteers much merriment. 



MY OWN TIMES. 247 

Major Dement then marched to Fort Dixon and reported 
himself to Col. Z. Taylor. This officer ordered the battalion to 
Kellog's Grove. They reached there on Saturday night, and 
enjoyed the next Sabbath in hunting. On the second night 
.after they arrived at the Grove, Mr. Funk, of McLean County, 
came to the fort from the lead mines about two o'clock at night 
and informed Maj. Dement that a large trail of two hundred 
and fifty or three hundred Indians was seen passing south-west, 
near them, and that a large force of the enemy was probably in 
his neighborhood. This information gave Maj. Dement much 
concern and responsibility. He had but about one hundred 
and fifty men, untrained, undrilled, and unaccustomed to war, 
but as brave men as ever breathed the breath of life. Most oi 
his battalion, and all the superior officers, were Tennesseeans, 
where the virtue of courage and bravery is as much cultivated 
.and respected as in any country on the globe. Maj. Dement 
called a council of officers, in the night, and they decided that 
the major, with fifty picked men, should march out in the 
morning and reconnoitre the trail and country. The rest of 
the battalion was to remain in the fort, in readiness for 
action if necessary. This fort was an oblong log- house, con- 
taining three rooms, and made of large logs; the doors were 
made of strong material ; and a good well of water was in the 
yard.. Some stables and other buildings were built near the 
main cabin.' Some six or eight of the fifty volunteers who 
-were going with the major started in advance of him, on good 
horses, and had approached the prairie about one hundred and 
fifty yards from the fort. Just as the major and Gov. Casey 
were mounting their horses, an express came from the advance 
party informing the major that some three or four Indians were 
seen in the prairie. This information was like an electric spark: 
it put the rank and file of the battalion into a frenzy to shoot 
and kill them; but the officers were well convinced that they 
were placed there to decoy the whites into an ambuscade, which 
turned out to be lamentably true. At this time, the whole bat- 
talion mounted their horses against orders and hurried to the 
.scene of action. Five men, Black and four others, who had no 
horses, also started out to see the fight, or chase of the Indians, 
but they never returned. 

Major Dement and most of the officers galloped out with the 
throng to prevent their men from chasing the Indians, who, of 
course, fled as soon as the whites approached them. Many of 
the volunteers in the confusion mistook the intention of the 
major and the other officers, and supposed that they were 
chasing the Indians to kill them. The battalion was in the 
utmost confusion, not regarding the commands of the officers 
in any manner whatever. 

The retreating Indians ran near a ravine in the prairie, which 



248 MY OWN TIMES. 

was filled with brush and bushes to conceal Black Hawk, his 
generals, and warriors, to the number of two hundred and fifty 
or three hundred. No military talents could have planned this 
stratagem better than those bookless savages did. The running, 
whooping, and hallooing volunteers were literally scattered over 
the battle-field, but mostly near this hollow in the prairie. 
They acted like they were chasing a wolf on the snow. Major 
Dement was exceedingly active in trying to arrest his men, as 
he knew almost certainly they were running into danger and 
destruction. All of a sudden, Black Hawk and his warriors 
emerged from their concealment, on the confused troops, and 
raised the war-whoop from the mouths of two or three hundred 
naked Indians. The enemy had prepared themselves for battle 
by taking their clothes off. They were naked in battle. 

As soon as this army of furious, naked Indians made the 
attack on the confused volunteers, the whites commenced a 
retreat to the fort with equal or greater speed than they 
exerted in the pursuit of the Indians. Maj. Dement and the 
other officers made the utmost exertions to fight the Indians, 
and to bring off the troops in good order, but their efforts were 
unavailable. A sudden surprise seized the corps, and no order 
or subordination could be observed among them. The Indians 
considered that they had the advantage in numbers and strata- 
gem, and they rushed on with the fury of demons. 

The instinct of preservation made the volunteers shape their 
course for the fort, and as soon as Maj. Dement would rally a 
few of his soldiers to make a stand against the enemy, the 
Indians would attempt to cut them off from the fort. Seeing 
this, the power of the officers over their men could not restrain 
them from seeking protection in the log-cabin. 

Governor Casey made a rally with a considerable number of 
the volunteers at the woods, but the enemy attempting to out- 
flank them and cut them off from the fort made the soldiers 
again flee for refuge to the log-house. Gov. Casey's horse was. 
wounded and almost threw him off. When the horsemen left 
those on foot, the five men without the means of escape were 
killed. The horse of Trammel Ewing was shot dead from 
under him, and himself wounded; but he escaped on foot. 

The Indians and volunteers rushed with desperate violence 
through the timber, tree-tops, brush, logs, and such obstacles as 
presented themselves, until they reached a log-house of which 
a fort was made. 

The soldiers dismounted in great haste, and entered the fort 
with the Indians at their heels. When the volunteers occupied 
the house the enemy was shy in approaching the premises, but 
let loose all their vengeance by killing the horses. Forty-seven 
horses were shot dead in the yard of the fort, and some few 
more on the field of battle. The horse of Governor Casey was- 



MY OWN TIMES. 249 

wounded in the head before the governor dismounted from him 
at the fort. 

The enemy was so furious in this battle, and rushed so near 
the fort, that seven of their number were killed. They shot 
into the house through the crevices and wounded several men, 
but killed none. Three different bullets touched the person of 
the major, but none injured him. One ball passed through his 
hat and cut the hair on the top of his head. 

When the battle had subsided to some degree around the 
fort, Major Dement dispatched five men on good horses to 
Dixon, fifty miles or more, for relief, as it was supposed the 
Indians would make an attack on the log-house at night. The 
same Ewing who was wounded in the thigh was one of the 
express. This express started about eight o'clock in the 
morning. 

When the Indians withdrew, sentinels were put out and the 
fort prepared for a night- attack. The logs of the house were 
large and solid, so that they could withstand the balls of the 
enemy. The only concern was fire The major presumed the 
Indians would attempt to burn the fort. The premises pre- 
sented a horrid spectacle with almost fifty horses lying dead 
in the yard and a number of Indians also lying dead a little 
farther off. The horses, having been killed with poisoned 
arrows, swelled horribly. One hundred and fifty or more zvet 
blankets were placed on the top of the house to save it from 
fire. Barrels of water were also provided for the occasion. > 
But toward sundown relief came. Gen. Posey arrived with his 
brigade. The express and brigade together travelled one hun- 
dred miles between eight o'clock and sundown. Some time was 
taken to get the brigade started. 

About a quarter of a mile from the fort the Indians yelled, 
hallooed, and shouted war- songs over the dead bodies of the 
white men they had killed, and mangled their bodies in true 
Indian style. 

Just as Posey's brigade reached the fort, three Indian spies 
on horseback were seen to emerge from the thickets in different 
places, who had been watching the fort to see if any relief 
would arrive or not ; and it is supposed if none had come, the 
fort would have been attacked at night, but the arrival of Gen. 
Posey prevented it. In the morning early, after the arrival of 
Posey's brigade, a large grave was dug with tomahawks and 
knives, and in it were buried the remains of the five men killed 
on the field of battle. Their lone grave is in the prairie, not far 
from the grove. 

About two miles from the fort the Indians held a council, 
and seemed to have been some time in this convention, per- 
haps waiting to see whether they would make a night-assault 
on the fort. 



250 MY OWN TIMES. 

After burying the dead in this hasty manner, Gen. Posey 
started in pursuit of the enemy, but soon found out that the 
Indians had scattered so the trail could not be followed, and 
the pursuit was abandoned. Thus ended this military opera- 
tion, in which the officers and privates acted with gallantry and 
bravery; but the corps was under no discipline or subordina- 
tion. There was the error. 



CHAPTER LXXXVIII. 

Army March to Dixon. — Posey's Brigade Ordered to Fort Hamilton. — 
Alexander's toward the Mississippi. — Atkinson, Regulars and Volun- 
teers March up Rock River. — Find no Indians. — Army Disperse for 
Provisions. 

The army on the frontier was strong, brave, and efficient. 
The infantry of the. regular army were five or six hundred in 
numbers, and were commanded by many of the most distin- 
guished officers in the United States' army. Gen. Atkinson 
was the commander-in-chief, and under him were Taylor, 
Harney, Riley, and many other distinguished and gallant offi- 
cers. Maj. Riley was the Bayard of the army — sans peur et 
sans rcprochc. 

Among the volunteers were many of the most distinguished 
Jionen in the State, and many that held the highest offices in the 
state government. The volunteers amounted to two or three 
thousand strong. Never in America existed better material to 
make a brave and efficient army than composed the volunteer 
corps in this campaign. 

Gen. Atkinson ordered Gen. Alexander with his brigade to 
march to the region of country between Dixon, Galena, and 
the Mississippi, to guard the frontiers and prevent the strag- 
gling Indians from the west side of the Mississippi from joining 
Black Hawk. He also ordered the brigade of Gen. Posey to 
Fort Hamilton. He commanded in person the brigade under 
Gen. Henry, and the regulars, and marched them from Fort 
Wilburn to Dixon for military stores. I marched with General 
Atkinson to Dixon, and was there when the messengers reached 
him from Major Dement at Kellog's Grove. 

While we were at Dixon, Mr. George E. Walker, the captain 
commanding seventy or eighty Pottawatomie Indians, with their 
chiefs Caldwell, Shabonee, and Wapello with them, came to 
Gen. Atkinson and desired some protection of the army to 
save them from the fury of Black Hawk, as they had joined 
the Americans, which would cause great anger in the breast of 
the old Sac warrior. Col. Fry was sent with his regiment to 
protect our Indian allies. We supposed it was better to receive 



MY OWN TIMES. 25 1 

the Indians into service, as perhaps if we did not they would 
fight on the other side. 

With a strong regular force and cannon, and the brigade 
under the immediate command of Gen. Henry, Gen. Atkinson, 
and myself and staff commenced the march from Dixon up 
Rock River in pursuit of the enemy. This march was con- 
tinued throughout the region of country on Rock River for 
sixty or eighty miles above Dixon for a long time without 
reaching the hostile Indians. 

On the 4th of July the main army lay on the banks of Lake 
Koshkonong, which is an enlargement of Rock River, and ex- 
perienced a melancholy and sadness of feeling indescribable. 
The provisions wasting away — almost gone — and the enemy 
not chastised. Two or three thousand fine soldiers under arms 
and nothing done, caused reflections in the breasts of the offi- 
cers, and many privates, that were extremely mortifying and 
painful. But what could be done.? We were almost hunting a 
shadow. 

Not finding Black Hawk, the army moved higher up the 
river and were in the midst of the enemy, but the Indians were 
not in a body so as to chastise them. The general fortified our 
camp every night to guard against a night-attack. At one of 
these camps a man was wounded by accident, but not mortally. 
At another encampment, Capt. Dunn, of Gen. Posey's brigade, 
was wounded by a sentinel, supposed to be mortal, but he 
recovered. In this section of the country, the brigades of Gen- 
erals Posey and Alexander, joined us about the 7th of July, 
together with Gen. Dodge and his troops. 

After various marches, and waiting the report of scouts, the 
whole army lay at a stream called Whitewater, a branch 01 
Rock River, and after sun-up two Indians shot across the 
stream at a regular soldier who was fishing. I was in my tent, 
with my staff, near the scene, and we supposed the guns were 
discharged by accident. The soldier was wounded, but not 
mortally. The Indians dashed off in a moment and could not 
be reached. We marched and countermarched, but found no 
enemy. On the 8th, the one-eyed Winnebago-chief Decori told 
Gen. Atkinson that Black Hawk was lower down the river, and 
the army marched down by the counsel of this wicked savage 
who stated an untruth to save Black Hawk. This movement, 
on the information of the one-eyed chief, delayed us one or two 
days. If we had pushed on up the river, by forced rnarches for 
a day or two, the Indians would have been reached and the war 
ended. Gen. Atkinson would not move without the regulars, 
with the cannon, and they marched so slow that the Indians 
could not be overtaken. 

On the loth of July, in the midst of a considerable wilder- 
ness, the provisions were exhausted, and the army forced to 



252 MY OWN TIMES. 

abandon the pursuit of the enemy for a short time. Seeing 
the difficulties to reach the enemy, and knowing the extreme 
uncertainty of ever reaching Black Hawk by these slow move- 
ments, caused most of the army to believe we would never 
overtake the enemy. This condition of affairs forced on all 
reflecting men much mortification, and regret that this cam- 
paign also would do nothing. Under these circumstances, a 
great many worthy and respectable individuals, who were not 
particularly operative in the service, returned to their homes. 
My staff and myself left the army at the burnt village, on Rock 
River, above Lake Koshkonong, and returned by Galena to the 
frontiers and home. 

When I reached Galena, the Indian panic was still raging 
with the people there, and I was compelled to order out more 
troops to protect the citizens — although the militia of the whole 
country was in service. The attack of Apple-Creek Fort by the 
Indians made the citizens of Galena fear a similar assault on 
their town, and they had a large fort erected for defence. 

At the upper end of the lower rapids of the Mississippi, 
where Nauvoo now stands, Capt. White had a company organ- 
ized for defence. 

I saw and heard reports from the frontiers between the Mis- 
sissippi at the Yellow Banks and Chicago, on the north of the 
Illinois River, that the troops were doing their duty, and I 
returned to my residence in Belleville. 

I received dispatches from Washington City highly approving 
my course in the war, and also authority from President Jack- 
son to hold treaties with the Indians. General Scott was also 
appointed commissioner to conclude treaties, and we were 
authorized to act together. 

On the loth of July, the day the army disbanded for pro- 
visions, Gen. Scott, with a large force of the regular army, 
arrived from the Atlantic seaboard at Chicago and landed his 
troops. The Asiatic cholera appeared in his army on the route, 
and many died of the disease. 

The Black-Hawk war assumed such an importance that the 
Government at Washington ordered Gen. Scott and a large 
regular army on the frontiers. The general, with that mili- 
tary efficiency and capacity for which he is so celebrated, con- 
veyed a regiment of troops from Old Point Comfort, in Vir- 
ginia, to Chicago, in eleven days, which was considered an 
extraordinary quick passage; but at this day, the same could 
be performed in about thirty hours. Some of the troops who 
had been with Gen. Scott were in the battle of the "Bad Axe," 
under Gen. Brady, but the general himself did not assume the 
command during the campaign. 

On my way to the frontiers, I heard of the chastisement of 
the Indians, which closed the war. 



MY OWN TIMES. 253 



CHAPTER LXXXIX. 

Sketch of the Life and Character of James D. Henry. — The Horse 
Stampede. 

James Doughertv Henrv immigrated to Illinois and set- 
tled in Edwardsville in the year 1822. He was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born and raised in an humble and ob- 
scure condition in life. 

When he located in Edwardsville, he was poor, obscure, and 
without a friend or acquaintance in the State. He was a me- 
chanic, and worked at his trade for a support. He had been 
raised to manhood with a very limited education — barely able 
to read and write. At Edwardsville, when he was, I presume, 
twenty-one years of age, he, for the first time, entered on the 
study of arithmetic, and studied at a night-school in Edwards- 
ville with a teacher, William Barrett, whose habits would not 
conform to the rules of a temperance society. Henry was not 
quick to comprehend the rules in mathematics, but labored 
on incessantly until he understood well the principles of the 
science in all its branches. He became, at last, a passable 
scholar in this science. 

The person of Gen. Henry was large, six feet high, propor- 
tionably formed, and possessed a manly and dignified bearing. 
He was exceedingly modest and retiring until his passions were 
aroused, and then he showed an intensity of feeling and an iron 
will which was irresistible so far as he had the power to act. 
In company he was generally taciturn, and mostly appeared to 
disregard the charms of society, but seemed to be moody and 
melancholy, reflecting on the misfortunes of himself, which he 
could not relieve. At long intervals he indulged in frolics, and 
then, if his anger was excited, he was reckless and desperate. 
He knew and cared as little of danger and death as a marble 
statue. The fear of nothing, except his Maker, ever entered 
his breast. It appeared that he cared not much for life, but 
all for honor. His mother was a native of Scotland, and her 
religious notions, and books of Calvinism, impressed her son 
considerably with predestination. He reflected much on these 
melancholy and gloomy subjects, which had an effect on his 
(Character. He possessed a diffidence, or extreme sensibility, 
that prevented him from ever appearing in the society of ladies. 
At the close of the Black-Hawk war, the citizens of Springfield 
(his residence) gave him a splendid party in honor of his ser- 
vices in that war, and at it he never once appeared in the apart- 
ments where the ladies presided. This singular trait of charac- 
ter was so riveted on him that when he died, in New Orleans, 



254 ^^Y OWN TIMES. 

on the 4th of March, 1834, among strangers, he never informed 
any one that he was Gen. Henry, of the Black-Hawk war. It 
was discovered after his death at the hotel where he died. 

The paternity of Gen. Henry was not known to many besides 
himself It was, no doubt, this subject that his sensitive soul 
could neither forget or forgive that preyed heavily on his mind, 
and at last brought him .to a premature grave. His father 
called to see him at Edwardsville, but his son refused to see 
him on account of the situation in society in which the son was 
compelled to exist by the act of the father. 

He entered into the mercantile business in Edwardsville, and 
moved to Springfield in 1826. He was elected sheriff of San- 
gamon County for several terms, and performed the duties of 
his office with sound judgment and strict integrity. I became 
well acquainted with him, and knew his merit. Under these 
circumstances, I appointed him one of my aids when I was 
elected governor. 

At the Burnt Village, on the Whitewater branch of Rock 
River, on the loth of July, as heretofore stated, Gen. Atkinson 
was forced to disperse the army for subsistence. The brigades 
of Henry and Alexander, and the battalion of Maj. Dodge, 
were ordered to Fort Winnebago for provisions. This fort was 
situated at the Portage, between the Fox River of Lake Michi- 
gan and the Wisconsin River, and was about one hundred miles 
from the Burnt Village. Col. John Ewing with his regiment 
were ordered to Dixon with Capt. Dunn. Gen. Posey and 
brigade were sent to Fort Hamilton for supplies, and to guard 
the northern frontiers. Gen. Atkinson with the regular army 
went down Rock River to Koshkonong Lake, and erected there 
a small fort. 

The first night the army camped at Fort Winnebago they 
experienced a calamity worse than an ordinary battle with the 
Indians. About a thousand horses were grazing near the en- 
campment, and it is supposed that some thieving Indians were 
trying to steal some of the horses, which caused a general, most 
furious, and dangerous stampede among the quadrupeds. The 
soldiers being tired, were fast asleep in their tents, which were 
pitched near one another, mostly not more than three feet 
apart. It is understood by the reader that in these stampedes 
the horses are scared until they are crazy, and run at the top of 
their speed over any opposing obstacle they are able to sur- 
mount. One thousand horses running at once, with race-horse 
speed, make not only appalling noise worse than a tornado, but 
there is absolute danger in being tramped to death in the 
furious race. The horses behind forced those before onward, 
so that if the foremost horses wished to stop, or to divert their 
course, they cannot do it. 

The first flight of the horses ran with the violence and fury 



MY OWN TIMES. 255 

of a tempest, pdl-mcll over the camp of the troops, knocking^ 
down the tents into the faces of the sleeping men, and batter- 
ing into the ground the arms, tent-poles, men, and all articles 
in the camp. The picket-guard, sentinels, and officers-of-the- 
day, all entered the camp with the horses, and all supposed it 
was an attack of the Indians. Many of the men were bruised 
and crippled, and almost unable to stir. The bugles and drums 
sounded to arms, and those who were able, were in the utmost 
confusion in the dark to obtain their arms, which had been so 
scattered, and many broken by the horses. This was a second 
edition to the confusion at the Tower of Babel, only this at 
Fort Winnebago caused more bruised bodies. 

The stampede took a northern direction, and the Wisconsin 
River stopped their race in that course but not their fury. The 
horses then changed their direction back, and ran the second 
time directly over the camp. The soldiers by this time were 
awakened and attempted to stop the crazy animals, but only 
a few were arrested from this dangerous stampede. 

It is supposed that most of the horses must have run thirty 
miles in this race, which did the service much injury at this 
crisis. It required great trouble to find the horses, and many 
were never found. The trail the army made to the fort was 
followed back fifty miles in search of the lost horses. Many 
of the horses were crippled, and all injured and fatigued by 
the stampede. 



CHAPTER XC. 

Gen. Henry, in Violation of Orders, Decides to March in Pursuit of 
the Indians. — Puts Down a Disturbance Among the Volunteers. — 
Found the Trail of Black Hawk. — Left the Heavy Baggage. 

Two days were occupied at Fort Winnebago in regaining 
the lost horses, recruiting the army, and drawing provisions for 
twelve days. During that time certain information was received 
of the encampment of Black Hawk and his band. 

This fort was in the midst of the Winnebago Indians, and 
those Indians were in numbers about the fort, and knew well 
the location of Black Hawk. A half-breed, a man of some 
talents, Poquette, was one on whom the whites relied, and he 
gave the information of the residence of the enemy. 

Black Hawk and band were then encamped at Cranberry 
Lake, on Rock River, forty or fifty miles above Fort Koshko- 
nong, where Gen. Atkinson was camped. No doubt Black 
Hawk had spies out, and when Gen. Henry moved toward 
them they attempted to escape across the Mississippi. 

On receiving this information. Gen. Henry convened all the 



256 MY OWN TIMES. 

officers, including the captains, and held a council of war. It 
was the unanimous conclusion of the officers that it was their 
duty to disregard the orders of Gen. Atkinson, and that he 
would approve of their doing so if he knew the facts. It was 
certain that Black Hawk and his band would escape if the army- 
returned to Gen. Atkinson, almost a hundred miles from Fort 
"Winnebago. The only possible opportunity to close the war 
with honor and service to the country was to march directly on 
the enemy. It was agreed in council that the country required 
the chastisement of the Indians; that an example must be made 
to keep the surrounding tribes in peace with the whites, and 
that if this opportunity was abandoned the whole campaign 
would be defeated. The General Government had expended 
eight or ten millions of dollars, and no beneficial result would 
be experienced by the war. 

At twelve o'clock on the 15th July, was the time appointed 
to march from Fort Winnebago in pursuit of the enemy, but 
the soldiers in the brigade of Gen. Alexander strongly remon- 
strated against disobeying the orders of Gen. Atkinson and 
marching with Gen. Henry. The officers of that brigade 
did not coerce the men, and that brigade marched back to 
Gen. Atkinson at Lake Koshkonong, on Rock River. Some 
soldiers and some of the officers in the brigade of Gen. Henry 
became disaffected by their intercourse with the brigade of Gen. 
Alexander, and did not want to march with the general against 
the Indians. The brigade of Henry was now reduced to about 
five or six hundred strong, and one-third of them were without 
horses. 

About this time, Capt. Craig, from Galena and the vicinity, 
reached Fort Winnebago with a fine company of mounted-men, 
and joined the battalion of Gen. Dodge, which made his force 
number one hundred and twenty men. This addition put to 
rest all murmuring in his corps as to their marching with Gen. 
Henry in search of the enemy. 

Many of the officers, also, of the brigade of Gen. Henry were 
not inclined to march with their general, and all the officers of 
the regiment of Col. Fry, except the gallant colonel himself, 
signed a remonstrance to Gen. Henry against the violation of 
orders and marching with him. This paper was presented to 
the general by the lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. This 
was the crisis — the governing pivot of the whole campaign — 
and Gen. Henry was equal to the emergency. This crisis 
showed Gen. Henry to be an extraordinary man. One brigade 
had mutinied, and decided to return to Atkinson; the privates 
in his own brigade at the brink of open mutiny, and the officers 
of one regiment, all but the colonel himself, had signed a docu- 
ment dissenting from his order. Thus was left this gallant 
officer almost alone to oppose the symptoms of open mutiny of 



MY OWN TIMES. 257 

two brigades. His situation, and determined firmness, forcibly 
reminds us of the condition of Gen. Jackson in his miUtary 
campaigns against the Southern Indians. The determined 
courage and firmness of the two generals are similar and strik- 
ing. Jackson posting himself on a bridge, and with a pistol in 
hantl defying the troops to pass the bridge while he was alive, 
.and Henry forcing the brigade to pursue the Indians. 

In this crisis as well as in all others Henry was cool and 
reflecting, possessing not the least bluster or parade. He 
reflected thoroughly on what was right, and when he took a 
stand he was immovable. When he knew that he was right, he 
possessed the firmness and iron -will to maintain his position 
against all earthly power, so far as his strength was able. This 
campaign showed Henry to be an extraordinary man, such as 
in ages may not again appear on the public stage. He hesi- 
tated not a moment, but ordered all of the officers signing this 
remonstrance to be put under arrest, and to be marched off to 
Gen. Atkinson under the guard of Col. Collins and his regi- 
ment. This efficient and decided order from a man whom they 
knew had the moral and physical courage to execute it, made 
the officers reflect, doubt, and finally to repent. The colonel 
presenting 'the shameful paper denied knowing the contents of 
it. All the officers, by the prompt and decisive course of Gen. 
Henry, came to a sense of their duty, and performed it nobly 
during the balance of the campaign. 

The character of Gen. Henry was such that the officers and 
soldiers loved as well as obeyed him. He was exceedingly kind 
and attentive to the comforts of his brigade, and nourished the 
sick, and supplied the wants of all with everything that was in 
his power. 

Oil the 15th of July, the brigade was reviewed, and all inef- 
ficiency of men or material was discharged, and the troops 
marched with honor and duty to guide them to victory. 
Poquette, the half-breed, and a Winnebago chief, "the White 
Pawnee," were selected for guides to the camp of Black Hawk 
and band. 

The army marched through a marshy and swampy country, 
which very much impeded their progress. At every swamp, 
horses were lost in the mud and left to die. Toward the close 
of the three days' march, the trail of Black Hawk and his band 
was discovered. This information changed the ordinary march 
of the army into a chase, which will be related in the next 
chapter. 

On the second day's march, the spies seized two unarmed 
Indians, who said they were Winnebagos; but the white spies 
considered them Sac Indians, and also spies of Black Hawk. 
With this impression, the Indians were confined with the army. 

17 



258 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XCI. 

Gen. Henry and Major Dodge, with their Respective Troops, in Hot 
Chase of Black Hawk and Band. — Thunder Storm. — The Four 
Lakes. — Battle of Wisconsin. 

On the third day's march from Fort Winnebago, the army- 
met three Winnebago Indians, who gave information that Black 
Hawk and his war party of Indians were camped high up Rock 
River, at the Cranberry Lake. On receiving this information 
a council of officers decided to move against the Indians next 
morning, and, in the meantime, Dr Merryman, of Springfield, 
and Mr. Woodbridge, of Wisconsin, with an Indian guide, a 
chief called Little Thunder, were dispatched as messengers to 
Gen. Atkinson to apprise the general of the movements of the 
volunteers. 

The express, after travelling about eight miles, struck the 
large and fresh trail of Black Hawk and band leaving Rock 
River and making toward the four lakes, and across the Wis- 
consin and Mississippi Rivers, for safety. As soon as Little 
Thunder saw the trail a panic seized him, and he returned with 
all possible speed to the volunteers. He gave the information 
to the two Indians and the army before Merryman and Wood- 
bridge reached the troops. The country was so swampy and 
filled with thickets that the messengers were compelled also to 
return to the brigade. But one of the express was fired on in 
the dark by a sentinel and was near being hit by the bullet. 

In the confusion of the army, the two Indians, the prisoners 
and spies, made their escape, but were recaptured. 

Major McConnell had been out about dark reconnoitering, 
some distance from the main army, with another person, and 
had found the Indian trail of Black Hawk. The individual 
returned alone to the army and reported the fact. Just at 
dark — McConnell was still reconnoitering — two Indians came 
through some brushwood within ten yards of him, and one of 
them gave an Indian whoop, evidently showing great alarm. 
McConnell supposed the Indians were the enemy, and was 
about shooting when one of them cried out, in tolerable Eng- 
lish, "Good Indian, me! good Winnebago!" McConnell imme- 
diately discovered that they were the two prisoners who had 
been marching with the army. He captured them, and tied 
their hands behind their backs and marched them to the camp. 
In this enterprise with the Indians, and throughout the whole 
campaign. Major McConnell displayed efficiency and courage as 
a soldier and an officer, which won for him the approbation of 
the whole army. 



MY OWN TIMES. 259 

The Indian prisoners confessed their guilt that they were 
spies from Black Hawk. They expected to be shot, but the 
general did not proclaim their guilt and they were spared. The 
general acted with humanity, as the army was then nearly on 
the Indian trail, and the spies could do I10 injury to the whites, 
and to destroy two deluded, unarmed human beings, after their 
having been prisoners for some time, seemed to be a cruel act. 
The general was compelled to exercise much care over the 
Indians or some volunteer might have shot them if the fact 
had been known. 

On the 19th of July, early in the morning, five baggage- 
wagons, camp- equipage, and all heavy, cumbersome articles 
were piled up and left, so that the army might make speedy 
and forced marches to overtake the enemy. For some miles 
the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps and the worst 
thickets, but the large fresh trail of the Indians gave life and 
animation to the Americans. Gen. Dodge acting as major, and 
Col. Ewing acting also as major, composed the spy-corps or 
vanguard of the army. It is supposed the army marched 
nearly fifty miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed 
became fresher, and was strewed with much property and trin- 
kets of the Indians that they had lost or threw away to hasten 
their march. 

Toward evening, there commenced a terrific thunder storm, 
with torrents of rain, which poured down on the army in floods, 
and drenched them for many hours. The storm continued 
nearly all night until toward day, which prevented the soldiers 
from making any fire or cooking any food for their support. 
The army were without tents, and lay on the ground covered 
with water, and themselves without covering, as many of the 
soldiers had left their blankets in the general deposit of their 
property made in the morning. 

Early in the morning, the whole army, although it was cold 
and chilly, started on the trail, and pursued it with increased 
vigor. The scouts of Gen. Henry captured an Indian, and by 
him the general was informed that the main body of the Ind- 
ians was not far ahead of the army. 

On receiving this information, the order of battle was formed 
by Gen. Henry, and the troops marched in that order, prepared 
for an engagement at any moment. 

Gen. Dodge and Gen. Ewing, each commanding a battalion 
of men, were placed in front to bring on the battle, and Col. 
Fry, with his regiment on the right. Col. Jones on the left, and 
Col. Collins in the centre. In this order the army marched, 
expecting and hoping to overtake the enemy the same evening, 
but they did not. About sunset, the army reached the first 
of the four lakes, and Gen. Henry inquired of his guides, Po- 
quette and the White Pawnee, if the army could, in the night. 



260 MY OWN TIMES. 

march through the bad swamps and brush near the lakes. The 
answer was they could not. Next day, it was found to be true, 
what the guides had reported as to the difficulty of marching 
around the lakes. T|je retreating Indians searched for the 
worst roads. 

On one of the four lakes the army camped, and the men 
cooked a supper, which was about the first regular meal they 
ate in travelling one hundred miles from Rock River, where 
they first struck the Indian trail. 

By the time it was light the whole army were on the Indian 
trail, and in hot pursuit. Marching about five miles, a spy of 
the enemy was killed, and a certain Dr. Phillio brutally scalped 
the Indian, when another white man had killed him. Two more 
spies who were watching the progress of the army were also 
killed. This day's march, or rather race, was very exciting. 
The enemy only a few miles ahead escaping for life, and the 
army exerting all their energies to overtake them. The trail 
was literally strewed with Indian property and trinkets, and 
sometimes a horse of the enemy gave out and lay dead on the 
trail. At the camps of the enemy they were compelled to : i'l 
a horse at times to eat, as they were literally starving. 

On the forced march on the 2ist, forty horses or more gave 
out and were left. About three o'clock the spies reported that 
the enemy were reaching the bluffs of the Wisconsin River, and 
might make a save retreat over the river. This report urged on 
the army with greater speed, and the rear guard of the enemy, 
or their spies, frequently commenced firing to gain time, so that 
the main body of the Indians could cross the river. The army 
formed twice for battle, and the Indians would give way; but 
on the third attack of the Indian spies, the white scouts diove 
the Indians to the main body of the enemy, who had reached 
tolerably heavy timber, and were waiting to give the Americans 
battle. In an instant, the volunteers dismounted, ordering every 
tenth man to hold horses, and were formed in the same order of 
battle as they had been the day previous, except that Col. Fry's 
regiment made the reserve, and to prevent the enemy from 
turning the flanks of the Americans. The Indians came rush- 
ing with great fury, shouts and yells, on the Americans, and 
the whites also, with noise and whooping at the top of their 
voices, charged also with vigor on the approaching enemy. 
The brave and gallant leaders. Col. Dodge and Col. Ewing, of 
their respective corps made a gallant onset, and with the equally 
brave and courageous Colonels Jones and Collins and their regi- 
ments, drove the enemy back. In the heat of the battle. Col. 
Fry and regiment were ordered to charge, with Col. Dodge, the 
enemy who had concentrated in heavy masses in front of Major 
Dodge. The charge was made with gallantry and efficiency. 
The enemy was driven into the lowlands of the Wisconsin 



MY OWN TIMES. 261 

River, where the mud, high grass, and the approach of night, 
rendered it difficult and imprudent to pursue them any farther. 
On the margin of the river was a dense forest, where the Indians 
might take shelter and destroy many of the Americans in a 
charge into the timber. Under these circumstances, General 
Henry wisely sounded a retreat about dark. 

This was a disastrous battle for the Indians, as it was re- 
ported that about sixty-eight of them were killed, and many 
wounded. Of the Americans, only one man, Mr. Short, of 
Randolph County, was killed, and eight wounded. 

During part of the battle, an Indian general, supposed to be 
Napope, posted himself (riding a white pony) on a high knoll 
near the Indian warriors, and gave commands, in a loud and 
thundering voice, that could be heard distinctly amid the roar 
of the fire-arms and the din of battle. I have heard it often 
remarked that he possessed the loudest voice of all mortal 
men, but as soon as the enemy commenced to retreat, he also 
left his post and was silent. 

This battle was conducted with wisdom and judgment by 
Gen. Henry, and was the first and decided victory obtained by 
the Americans over the enemy. Never before could Black, 
Hawk and his band be reached by the army, but at the heights 
of Wisconsin the enemy was severely chastised. It became 
necessary to execute this severe punishment on the recreant 
band of Black Hawk, not only for their benefit, but to establish 
peace and harmony among the Indians inhabiting our extended 
borders. 

The American troops acted the part of brave and disciplined 
soldiers, each man doing his duty without a solitary exception. 
And too much praise cannot be given the officers. Gen. Dodge 
and Gen. Ewing, each acting as majors, led the van of the army, 
and gallantly sustained the first fire of the enemy. Cols. Fry, 
Jones, and Collins, with their respective regiments, performed 
well their duty to the satisfaction of the general and country. 
Col. Jones had his horse shot under him. He procured another 
and acted the part of a gallant soldier, as the other officers did 
also through all the various scenes of the battle. The staff- 
officers. Majors Murra}^ McConnell, John A. Wakefield, and 
others, were always in the thickest of the battle doing their 
duty. Major McConnell was on horseback, and was a con- 
spicuous object for the Indian rifles. He saw an Indian fire 
his gun at him, and the ball passed through his clothes touch- 
ing his breast. 

Although Gen. Henry was young and inexperienced in bat- 
tle, yet he acted the part of a consumate commander in this 
engagement. He possessed such mastery over the troops that 
his command moved the brigade in the battle as a unit. 

The conduct of Gen. Henry in the Black-Hawk war rendered 



262 MY OWN TIMES. 

him the most popular man in Illinois. He could have been 
elected to any office in the gift of the people. His health and 
vigor of constitution had been before robust and good, but the 
hardships and fatigue of the war wasted away his system, and 
he died at New Orleans of the consumption, as before stated. 
He left not a human being related to him in the State, but his 
character remains dear to the people of Illinois. His fame as 
the hero of the Black- Hawk war will be long revered and 
respected by the people of his adopted State. 

At the commencement of the action, all the Winnebagos, 
including Poquette and Little Thunder escaped, and left the 
Americans in the wilderness without knowing where to go for 
provisions. The army was without support, and camped in an 
unknown country. 

On the 23d, some Indians came to the camp and guided the 
army to the Blue Mounds in Wisconsin. After two days' 
march, the army reached their destination and found plenty of 
provisions. 

At the Blue Mounds, Gens. Atkinson, Posey, and Alexander 
were all assembled, with four hundred and fifty regular troops, 
under the command of Gen. Brady, and a greatly diminished 
force of the volunteers. Gen. Posey's brigade contained not 
more than two hundred men; Alexander's and Henry's not 
many more. All the three brigades amounted to about the 
force of one did when they were organized at Ottawa, some 
months previous. 

The night after the battle of the 21st instant, the same war- 
rior who, on a white horse, commanded the Indians, Napope, 
took a stand on a high hill near the American camp, and about 
three o'clock in the morning he spoke in the Winnebago 
tongue, in a loud shrill voice, which, in the calm of the night, 
vibrated from hill to hill. Not one in the American army 
understood the language — the Winnebagos having left — but the 
volunteers supposed it was the same commander marshalling his 
warriors to give battle again. Under this impression. General 
Henry had his troops all paraded and ready for a night-attack. 
He had before taken the precaution to put out strong guards, 
and prepare for battle at night. 

This Indian warrior ceased his harangue toward daylight and 
disappeared. It was a matter of surprise with the army what 
could be the meaning of this loud voice so long uttered at this 
time of night, so near the American camp. After the battle 
of the Bad Axe, on the Mississippi, it was explained. It was 
Napope suing for peace. He supposed there were Winnebagos 
in the canip, and would inform the Americans what he said. 
He said the band under Black Hawk sued for peace; that they 
were not able to fight the Americans; they were worn down 
and starving, and would retire to the west side of the Missis- 



MY OWN TIMES. 263 

sippi, and remain hereafter in peace with the whites. If this 
speech had been understood, it might have closed the war 
without further bloodshed. 

Some disagreeable feelings arose between the officers of the 
regular army and the volunteers, and it was supposed it was 
produced by Gen. Henry violating his orders and gaining the 
victory over the enemy without the co-operation of the regular 
-army. 

At the Blue Mound, Gen. Atkinson assumed the command 
and issued three days' provision to the army. It was the order 
of the general to pursue the Indians, 



CHAPTER XCII. 

The Army Cross the Wisconsin River at Helena. — Order of March. — 
Bad Roads. — In a Few Days they Reach the Mississippi. — Battle of 
the Bad Axe. — Steamboat Black Warrior Fires on the Indians. — 
The War Closed. 

On the 26th of July, all the forces, regulars and volunteers, 
appeared at Helena, a deserted village on the Wisconsin River, 
and there made rafts to cross the stream. The Wisconsin at this 
point is almost as wide as the Mississippi, but the whole army 
was rafted over it, wagons and all, in safety in not much more 
than a day. 

The line of march was taken up on the 28th, in pursuit of the 
old enemy, and the Indian trail reached in marching about five 
miles. 

The regular officers marching in this expedition were Gen. 
Atkinson, commanding; Gen. Brady, Cols. Taylor, Morgan, and 
Riley, and many others. The volunteer officers were Generals 
Henry, Alexander, and Posey; Colonels Fry, Jones, Collins, 
Archer, and many others; Majors Dodge and Ewing. The 
staff- officers were numerous — Col. E. C. March, and Majors 
McConnell, Wakefield, Merriman, and many others, of the vol- 
unteers. Majors Johnson and Anderson were regular officers, 
and of the staff of Gen. Atkinson. 

Gen. Atkinson, in the march, ordered Major Dodge and bat- 
talion in front; then came the regulars; then Gen. Posey; then 
Gen. Alexander, and Gen. Henry in the rear, to take charge of 
the baggage. The position given Gen. Henry was so mani- 
festly wrong that all the army noticed it, and it was considered 
not only an insult to Gen. Henry, but to his brigade and the 
State of Illinois. It has always been my opinion, that if I had 
been in this expedition my position would have enabled me to 
preserve peace and friendly feelings in the army. 

In this order the army marched over the worst roads imagi- 



264 MY OWN TIMES.. 

nable — swamps, high mountains, brambles, and briars — for 
many days. The baggage-wagons and almost all of the heavy- 
articles were left on the route, and many horses also gave out 
and were abandoned. It was truly sorrowful, as I was often 
informed, to see on the Indian trail the signs of distress and 
misery of the fleeing enemy. Many wounded Indians died 
and were left on the trail. Frequently was seen the places- 
where horses had been killed and eaten by the Indians to save 
life, and much of the valuables and articles held in the highest 
estimation by the Indians were lost or thrown away in their 
flight. 

When the army reached the Mississippi Bluff, Black Hawk 
and about twenty of his warriors gave a kind of feint battle to 
the army to decoy the Americans from the main body of the 
Indians. The order of march was continued as heretofore, 
■» '<^}i placed Major Dodge in front, then the regulars, thea 
ander's and Posey's brigades, and Gen. Henry in the rear 
/the baggage. Black Hawk and his small party fled up 
ti ■;, river bluff, while the main body of the Indians marched 
directly west across the bottom to the Mississippi, near the 
mouth of a stream known as the Bad Axe. While Major 
Dodge and Gen. Atkinson were in pursuit of Black Hawk and 
his party. Gen. Henry, although in the rear, discovered by the 
report of Major Ewing, who was in front of Henry, that he was- 
on the main trail of the Indians, which descended into the bot- 
tom, and that Dodge and Atkinson were not on it. Henry^ 
again, without orders, pursued the large trail and soon com- 
menced the battle on the main body of the enemy, when Gen. 
Atkinson was in pursuit of Black Hawk and his twenty war- 
riors. It seemed fortune was determined to distinguish her 
favorite, Gen. Henry, in despite of the disgrace intended for 
him. 

As soon as Gen. Atkinson commenced the skirmish with the 
Indians, he called for a regiment from Henry's brigade to cover 
his rear, and Henry dispatched Col. Fry with his regiment. 

Instantly, when Major Ewing discovered the trail of the 
Indians leading towards the Mississippi, he formed his bat- 
talion in order of battle and waited the order of his general. 
Henry dismounted his brigade at the foot of the bluff and 
formed the order of battle. Eight men were sent forward, as a 
forlorn hope, to ascertain the hiding places of the Indian war- 
riors, and receive their fire. Five of the eight were killed or 
wounded. The other three defended themselves until the main 
army came to their rescue. Henry, with his energetic volun- 
teers, charged on the Indians with great courage and drove 
them back. At that time he sent his aid, Major McConnell, to 
inform Gen. Atkinson that he had discovered the main body of 
the enemy, but Atkinson, hearing the report of fire-arms and 



MY OWN TIMES 265 

the roar of battle, advanced himself to the conflict, and met 
McConnell near the scene of action. But the main battle was 
mostly over before the arrival of Atkinson. Gen. Henry also 
dispatched a messenger to Col. Fry for him and his regiment, 
which order the brave colonel obeyed, and was soon in the 
thickest of the battle. Gen. Henry sounded the sweet music 
of "charge! charge!" on his bugles, and the volunteers forced 
the Indian warriors to the bank of the river by the time Atkin- 
son's troops reached the battle-ground. When Atkinson 
reached the scene he saw the ground strewed with the slain 
warriors. At the river the whole force was directed against the 
enemy, and they were driven over a slough of the river to an 
island. A charge was ordered to the island, and the soldiers 
waded in the water to their armpits. Major Dodge, the regu- 
lars, and Ewing's and Posey's respective commands appeared 
on the island, and acted the part of brave and efficient sold" 
Many of the Indians attempted to swim the river, and 
shot in the water. Although the warriors fought witl 
courage and valor of desperation, yet the conflict reseni...^a 
more a carnage than a regular battle. 

It is supposed that one hundred and fifty Indians were killed 
in this engagement, and many drowned in attempting to swim 
the river. Fifty — mostly squaws and children — were taken 
prisoners. Some squaws were killed by mistake in the battle. 
They were mixed with the warriors and some of them dressed 
like the males. 

Col. Enoch C. March, the quartermaster, acted a noble and 
fearless part in this battle, and so did Major McConnell — in 
fact the whole army did their duty to the entire satisfaction of 
the country. 

In this engagement the Americans lost seventeen killed and 
twelve wounded. Among the slain was Lieut. Bowman, acting; 
as captain of a company, the captain being absent. Lieut. 
Bowman was a brave, meritorious officer, and was cut off in 
the prime of life and usefulness. He left a wife and only child, 
a son, the worthy representative of a highly respectable father. 
It may not be out of place to state, in this connection, that 
young Bowman is now grown; is an educated man and a prac- 
tising lawyer. 

The day before this battle, Capt. Throgmorton, under Lieut. 
Kingsbury in the steamboat Black Warrior, had killed several 
of the same band of Black Hawk, and had afterward descended 
in his boat to Prairie du Chien, which is about forty miles below 
the battle-ground. 

The volunteers were marched to Dixon, and then discharged 
with the gratitude and thanks of the country for their important 
and arduous services. Thus closed the campaign, and the war 
with Black Hawk and his band. 



266 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XCIII. 

Troops Guarding the Frontiers Discharged. — Peace Restored. — Trea- 
ties Concluded. — Session of Land Whereon the State of Iowa and 
a part of Wisconsin is Formed. 

Some time in the forepart of August, I met Gen. Scott at 
Galena. He had been as far up as Prairie du Chien, and had 
returned. We here made arrangements to assemble the Indians 
at Rock Island, and conclude treaties with them. I disbanded 
all the troops under my command that had been guarding the 
frontiers. 

While I 'vas at Galena, Black Hawk and many of his war- 
riors arrived there and were sent down to Jefferson Barracks. 
Black Hawk, with some of his band, had escaped the Ameri- 
cans at the battle of the Bad Axe, and had gone high up on 
the Wisconsin River. Indians were sent out to capture him and 
he surrendered to them. 

While arrangements were being made to hold the treaties at 
Rock Island, the cholera appeared in its worst form in that sec- 
tion of the State, and among the Indians. This disease was a 
stranger in the country at that day, and spread terror and panic 
wherever it went. I was extremely anxious to wind up the war 
with treaties that would remove the Indians out of the State, 
and clear them off from our borders. On this consideration, I 
remained in the midst of the cholera, to effect the above ob- 
ject, when scarcely one single citizen was present at the treaty. 

We were compelled to disperse the Indians while the disease 
rasped at Fort Armstrong, on Rock Island, and wait until the 
cholera subsided before a treaty could be made. Gen. Scott 
also camped his arm}' around and on Rock Island, some dis- 
tance from the fort, so as to be more healthy. I presume the 
regular army at Rock Island at the time amounted to twelve or 
fifteen hundred men, and Gen. Scott exerted his great energies 
and abilities to save his troops from this scourge. 

I witnessed the efforts and intense feelings of this great and 
good man to protect his soldiers from the ravages of the 
cholera, and I admired his noble bearing and moral courage in 
resisting, at the hazard of his own life, the effects of this dread- 
ful disease. The cholera was a calamity visited on the army 
that the general combatted with the same courage and haiitmr 
of character that he has so often and so honorably displayed at 
the head of the victorious army of the United States. 

After waiting a month or more for the cholera to subside, we 
concluded the treaty. This delay was extremely painful — so 
much so that it appeared to me to be years. 



MY OWN TIMES.. 267 

On the 15th of September, 1832, we made an equitable 
treaty with' the Winnebago Indians. It was evident that the 
country was so fast filling up that the aborigines could not 
retain their possessions in peace, and it was better for both 
parties for the Indians to sell out and go west. 

The Winnebagos sold out all their lands in Illinois, and also 
all south of the Wisconsin River, and west of Green Bay. The 
Government gave them a large region of country west of the 
Mississippi, and also ten thousand dollars a year for seven 
years. The treaty also provided them with a free school for 
all their children for twenty years; also, blacksmith shops, 
oxen, agricultural implements, six agriculturists to oversee this 
department; also physicians and tobacco-rations were allowed 
them on their journey west. 

It was ascertained at this treaty that the Winnebago tongue 
was a singular, gutteral language, and it required much time 
and acquaintance with it to speak it. It was also different 
from all the surrounding nations. It is an Indian tradition 
that the Winnebagos are a nation distinct from the surrround- 
ing Indians, and that they speak a language of a different for- 
mation from that of the other tribes, and that they emigrated 
from a great distance west. 

During the pendency of this treaty, the remnants of the band 
of Black Hawk arrived at Rock Island, and exhibited distress 
and affliction that was truly sorrowful and painful to behold. 
They were literally starved to mere skeletons, and showed such 
destitution and misery that they excited the sorrow and sympa- 
thy of all who saw them. The heart of Gen. Scott is blessed 
with the most kind and tender sympathies for the distressed, 
which I was extremely well pleased to find on the occasion. 
We liberally bestowed on these deluded and miserable beings 
everything that tended to relieve their wants and make them 
happy. 

On the 2 1st of September, 1832, a treaty was made with all 
the Sac and Fox tribes, by which they ceded to the United 
States the tract of country on which, a few years afterwards, 
the State of Iowa was formed. 

In consideration of this cession of land, the Government 
gives them an annuity of twenty thousand dollars for thirty 
years. Also, gives them annually forty kegs of tobacco and 
forty barrels of salt. Also, more gunsmiths and blacksmith 
shops. Iron, steel, and also cattle, pork, and flour, are added. 
Six thousand bushels of corn for immediate support, mostly 
intended for the Black-Hawk band, were included in this treaty. 

Gen. Scott and myself proposed to Keokuk, the main chiet, 
to furnish them with schools and teachers, so they might edu- 
cate their children. The chief refused the proposition. He 
said it would do well enough for the whites to be educated, but 



268 MY OWN TIMES. 

it would not answer for the Indians. His people were made for 
Indians, and he had always seen that it made Indians worse to 
educate them. He would not have the provision in the treaty. 

The Black-Hawk war, together with the treaties, terminated 
favorafcly to the public welfare, and was highly approved by the 
General Government. Removing the Indians from the State 
was doing both races much service, as they cannot reside to- 
gether in peace and friendship. The Senate of the State legis- 
lature passed resolutions approving my official conduct in so 
promptly calling out the militia and organizing them. The 
thanks of the Senate were also given to the officers and sol- 
diers, who volunteered their services in the campaigns of 1831 
and 1832, in repelling the hostile Indians. Also, President 
Jackson, in his annual message of December, 1832, says: "After 
a harassing warfare, prolonged by the nature of the country and 
by the difficulty of procuring subsistence, the Indians were en- 
tirely defeated, and the disaffected band dispersed or destroyed. 
The result has been creditable for the troops engaged in the 
service. Severe as is the lesson to the Indians, it was rendered 
necessary by their unprovoked aggression, and it is to be hoped 
that its impression will be permanent and salutary. Our fellow- 
citizens upon the frontiers were ready, as they always are, in the 
tender of their service in the hour of danger." 

The above approval of the war was honorable, eminating 
from President Jackson. The warlike appearance of the volun- 
teers, together with their speedy march to the frontiers and 
their efficiency in battle, has taught the Indians a lesson which 
has had a good effect with all the surrounding tribes. 



CHAPTER XCIV. 

Congressional Elections. — Distinguished Members of the Legislature. 
— The Second Message of the Author. — Nullification. — President 
Jackson's Proclamation. — Fugitive Slave-Law. — Non- Execution. — 
Impeachment of Judge Smith. 

A special election for one member of Congress was held on 
the first Monday of August, 183 1, and Joseph Duncan was 
elected. 

Under the new census and apportionment, Illinois was en- 
titled to three members of Congress, and in August, 1832, Za- 
dok Casey, Charles Slade, and Joseph Duncan were elected to 
Congress. The parties. Whig and Democratic, divided the 
country, and governed the elections almost entirely from the 
highest to the lowest. 

The Black-Hawk war, like the war of 18 12, brought the 
country into notice, and thereby the settlements were rapidly 



MY OWN TIMES. 269 

advanced. The unsettled country north of the lUinois River, 
and on the Wabash, commenced to fill up and improve. 

The members of the general assembly were, many of them 
who were elected in 1832, intelligent and talented individuals, 
that would do credit to any State. In the Senate were Adam 
W. Snyder, Archibald Williams, Wm. L. D. Ewing, George 
Forquer, William B. Archer, William H. Davidson, Thomas 
Mathers, and others, and in the House were Cyrus Edwards, 
James Semple, John Dougharty, A. M. Jenkins, John D. White- 
side, Stinson H. Anderson, Edmund D. Taylor, John T. Stuart, 
Peter Cartwright, Murray McConnell, Benjamin Mills, and others, 
who were conspicuous and distinguished public men in the 
State. A. M. Jenkins was elected Speaker of the House of 
Representatives. 

On the 4th of December, I delivered my second message to 
the General Assembly, and in it I presented to that body the 
subjects which I considered the most important. 

Nullification in South Carolina was then agitating the country 
considerably, and I presented the subject to the legislature in 
my message in these words. " All this national happiness is 
effected by the legitimate union of the States. This Union is 
the pride and support of every American. No dangerous doc- 
trine of nullification, tending to dismember this happy confed- 
eracy ought to be countenanced or tolerated. All such doctrine 
should be firmly and promptly resisted, and prostrated by pub- 
lic opinion. This happy Union ought, and, I hope in God, will 
be sustained at all hazards." After I delivered my message, I 
received the proclamation of the loth of December, 1832, issued 
by President Jackson, condemning nullification in South Carolina, 
and on the 24th of the same month, I presented it to the Gen- 
eral Assembly, with a recommendation to pass some resolutions 
on the subject, expressive of the assent of the people of the 
State to the views of the President. Speaking of nullification, 
I say in this message: "In the view in which it presented itself 
to my mind, I can regard it in no other light than a treasonable 
attempt to dismember our happy confederacy. In the same 
view it must be regarded by all those who admit the supremacy 
of the laws, revere the Constitution, or love the Union." 

When the General Assembly of Illinois received this proc- 
lamation, itself one of the most able State papers ever issued, 
and eminating from a very popular president and man, it was 
hailed as a kind of Godsend, to quiet the unruly and intemper- 
ate passions of a deluded people. 

The General Assembly of Illinois passed resolutions approv- 
ing the principles contained in the document, and pledging the 
State to sustain the President in his determination to execute 
the laws of the United States at all hazards. 

President Jackson says in his proclamation: "But the dictates 



2/0 MY OWN TIMES. 

of a high duty oblige me solemnly to announce that you cannot 
succeed. The laws of the United States must be executed. I 
have no discretionary power on the subject; my duty is emphat- 
ically pronounced in the Constitution." What undaunted, 
towering, and sublime sentiments the President expressed on 
this occasion. He proclaims again: "It was known that if 
force was applied to oppose the execution of the laws, that it 
must be repelled by force." Again is' the following in the proc- 
lamation stated by the President. "Fellow- citizens of the 
United States: The threat of unhallowed disunion, the names 
of those once respected, by whom it is uttered, the array of 
military force to support it, denote the approach of a crisis in 
our affairs on which the continuance of our unexampled pros- 
perity, our political existence, and perhaps that of all free 
governments depend. The conjuncture demands a free, a full, 
and explicit enunciation, not only of my intentions, but of my 
principles of action." 

These are only a few of the principles laid down by President 
Jackson in that extraordinary State paper; but the whole proc- 
lamation breathes a spirit of pure and noble patriotism that 
never was surpassed. This able State paper had a strong ten- 
dency to put down the spirit of nullification throughout the 
Union. 

There is a provision in the Constitution of the United States 
authorizing Congress to pass laws to reclaim slaves escaping 
from one State to another. 

In pursuance of this constitutional provision, an act of Con- 
gress, passed in the year 1793, which remained in force until it 
was repealed in 1850, and another act was passed in its place, 
with more ample provisions. It will be recollected that the 
principles of this last act of Congress were discussed for a long 
time, not only in Congress, but throughout the Union. This 
act was hailed by all patriots as the next act to the Constitution 
itself, to give peace and quiet to the Union. By eminence it 
was called the "the Compromise Act." It was brought before 
the supreme court of the nation, the highest judicial tribunal 
established or known in the United States, and in a most solemn 
manner it was pronounced to be constitutional and binding. 

After this act of Congress was passed and approved by the 
supreme court of the nation, everybody hailed it as the great 
foundation of our peace and happiness in relation to slavery. 
The honest execution of this law, like any other should be, 
would give peace and happiness to the Southern States, where 
slavery exists; but within a few years, a section of the State of 
Illinois, the city of Chicago is not disposed to execute this act 
of Congress. The opposition in Illinois to this law is not 
extensive, but confined to a single city, so far as I know. Yet, 
in that disaffected district, the act is a dead letter, and cannot 



MY OWN TIMES. 2/1 

be executed by permitting the owners of slaves to reclaim them 
and remove them to the State from whence they escaped. 

It is true that not a very great portion of the city of Chicago 
is opposed to the execution of this law, but those who are in 
favor of it dislike to have hard feelings, and perhaps a riot and 
bloodshed with their neighbors in executing the law. 

It is presumed that time and reflection will cause this spirit 
of mistaken philanthropy and unfounded sympathy to subside, 
and the people again to resume their sober senses. The feel- 
ings that actuate many people on this subject are the finest 
sentiments of the human heart, but these sentiments are mis- 
guided and permitted to destroy the judgment. The Indians 
are starving for the want of food. They deserve the sympathies 
of the people ten times more than the Negroes. The same 
mistaken zeal and fanaticism in olden times caused many to be 
burned at the stake to advance religion, as they supposed. It 
was the same misguided zeal that in New England, in former 
days, destroyed human beings for witchcraft; and, at this day, 
the fanatical zeal for spiritualism is about the same. 

It is the adherence to the constitution and the laws that 
makes us a free people. It is the excellency of freedom and 
liberty to execute the laws; and the non-execution of the laws 
is as bad as Turkish tyrany. Under no consideration, will a 
good man rebel against the constitution of his country, or 
oppose the execution of the laws. I repeat the words of Presi- 
dent Jackson, "The laws of the United States must be exe- 
cuted." 

The non-execution of the laws presents the principles of the 
old and condemned Lynch-law. To resist a law is a riot and 
mob that no man can justify. The non-execution of the act of 
Congress of 1850, is a disgrace to the State, and the sooner this 
stigma is wiped out the better. 

In the Southern section of the Union in MY OWN TIMES there 
has been great excitement, and some show of a military force 
to oppose the execution of the laws of the United States. 
These demonstrations are equally injudicious and treasonable 
as the preventive of the execution of the laws in other sections 
of the Union. 

The good sense of the masses, and the great value of the 
Union, will preserve the confederacy for ages, while the people 
are intelligent and honest. The masses, whose breath is public 
opinion, will prostrate these unwise and treasonable factions in 
the North as well as in the South, and preserve the Union "in 
immortal youth." 

This session of the General Assembly of 1832 of the State 
became conspicuous, as before it was impeached and tried one 
of the judges of the supreme court of the State, the Hon. The- 
ophilus W. Smith. The House reported five different specifi- 



272 MY OWN TIMES. 

cations or charges against the judge for malpractice and corrup- 
tion in office, and the trial was had by virtue of the constitution 
before the Senate. I was present at the seat of government 
during this trial, which produced much excitement and bitter 
feelings. The managers on the part of the House were Messrs. 
Benjamin Mills, John T. Stuart, James Semple, Murray Mc- 
Connell, and John Dougharty. The defendent, T. W. Smith, 
had for his counsel the Hon. Sidney Breese, Hon. Richard M. 
Young, and Thomas Ford, Esq. 

The array of talent on each side, and the impeachment of a 
judge of the supreme court, made this trial important, and 
thereby it attracted great attention, not only at the seat of gov- 
ernment, but throughout the State. 

The trial of this case occupied the General Assembly from 
the 9th of January, 1833, until the 7th of February of the same 
year; and during that time not much other business was trans- 
acted. After examining a great many witnessess, and much 
documentary evidence, and hearing the argument of counsel, 
the judge was acquitted. 

The Senate was formed into a High Court of Impeachment, 
and conducted its proceedings with great decorum and solemni- 
ty. The attorneys, many of them, spoke for several days. The 
vote in the Senate was close, and almost equal for and against 
him, but the constitution required a majority of two-thirds oJ 
the members to convict on an impeachment, and, therefore, as 
above stated, the judge was acquitted. 

As soon as he was discharged by the Senate, the House 
passed a resolution under the constitution, requiring two-thirds 
of the members voting for it, to address a judge out of the 
office of the supreme court of the State. This resolution was 
reported to the Senate, but it did not pass that body, and the 
judge still continued to hold his office. 

In my message I state: "The ordinary receipts into the 
Treasury for the last two years, ending on the 30th of Novem- 
ber, 1832, in round numbers is one hundred and two thousand 
dollars; and the current expenses of the government, including 
certain appropriations, for the same period, were in like round 
numbers ninety thousand dollars." This shows the state of the 
finances at that period. 

I strongly urged on the legislature the subject of education. 
I also urged on the General Assembly to construct a canal or 
railroad connecting the waters of Illinois River with Lake 
Michigan. Likewise, the harbor at Chicago. The penitentiary 
■was warmly advocated in this message. These are some of the 
subjects presented to the legislature in my last message. 

The General Assembly closed its labors and adjourned. 



MY OWN TIMES. 273 



CHAPTER XCV. 

The Early Institutions of Learning in Illinois. — Rock-Spring Seminary. 
McKendre College, at Lebanon. — Illinois College. — Seminaries at 
Hillsborough, Springfield, and Paris. — Mr. Wyman's High School in 
St. Louis. 

The country in 18 18 commenced a gradual change from the 
extreme backwoods character to a more refined and improved 
community. The preachers of the gospel assumed a more ele- 
vated stand, and paid more attention to the propriety and dig- 
nity of pulpit eloquence. High schools, seminaries of learning, 
and colleges, commenced to take a permanent stand in the 
country. 

Dr. John Mason Peck, of St. Clair County, deserves the palm 
■of victory for establishing the first college, or seminary of learn- 
ing, in Illinois. 

This gentleman, being so long and so much indentified with 
the rise and progress of Illinois, his life and actions form a part 
of the history of the country, and should be recorded as such. 

He was born in the year 1787, in the parish of South Farms, 
Litchfield, in the State of Connecticut, and was raised to labor 
on a farm with his father. He received the greater part of his 
education under the instructors of the common schools and 
academy of his native town. Dr. Peck is principally a self- 
taught man; his means were limited, yet his untired ambition 
to become intelligent and useful induced him to exert his 
strong and powerful mind in the fields of science and literature 
— himself being his only instructor — and he has accomplished 
much. 

The whole of the long and useful life of Dr. Peck has been 
employed mainly on two great and important objects — preach- 
ing the gospel and advancing education. He joined the 
Baptist church at an early age; and has preached the gospel 
almost half a century. In order to qualify himself the better 
for his favorite pursuits, he attended for one year the study of 
literature and science in the city of Philadelphia. He spent 
some time in the medical university of that city. In 18 18, he 
taught school in St. Louis, Missouri, and the next year in St. 
Charles, in the same State. 

As is already stated, Dr. Peck settled in Illinois in 1821 ; and 
for many years thereafter he preached the gospel and estab- 
lished many Sunday schools in Missouri, Illinois, and a part of 
Indiana. He also distributed the bible in those States, as well 
as preached the gospel in them. In 1826, he commenced to 
carry out his favorite object — the establishment of a college 
18 



274 MY OWN TIMES. 

where all the higher branches of education were taught. On 
New Year's day, 1827, he invited all those friendly to the 
establishment of such an institution to meet at his house and 
organize a board of managers to accomplish the object. They 
met at his residence, known as Rock Spring, in St. Clair Coun- 
ty, and decided to establish an institution to be called "The 
Theological Seminary, and High School." Dr. Peck had been 
engaged for years previously in soliciting funds to erect this 
seminary, and he with his own hands, and his hired men, in the 
dead of winter, cut the timber for the building, and hauled it 
on the snow. He paid five hundred dollars to the institution,, 
and also donated twenty-five acres of land, at Rock Spring, on 
which to erect the buildings, and commodious and comfortable 
houses were erected accordingly. Nine trustees were elected to 
govern the institution, and also a system of education was 
adopted. A principal, a professor of mathematics and natural 
philosophy was created, and a professorship of Christian theo- 
logy was also established. The board of trustees was organized, 
and the Rev. James Leman, appointed president; Dr. Peck, 
secretary and treasurer; and John Messenger, Esq., auditor of 
the accounts. At the first meeting of the trustees, they elected 
the Rev. Joshua Bradley, principal ; Dr. Peck, professor of Chris- 
tian theology; and John Messenger, professor of mathematics 
and natural philosophy. Some short time after this seminary 
was opened, there were one hundred students in it. The institu- 
tion continued to prosper for many years, down to 183 1, when it 
was transferred to Alton, and formed the foundation of the 
Shurtleff College of that city. Professor John Russell, of Bluff 
Dale, Green County, had charge of the institution for one year. 

During the existence of this college, two hundred and forty- 
two students, male and female, were taught in it; and many 
became, in after days, conspicuous individuals. This institution 
did the country much service; and the founder, the Rev. Dr. 
Peck, deserves, -and he receives, the gratitude and friendship of 
the public for his exertions in the premises. 

In the year 1828, Rev. Peter Cartwright commenced raising 
funds, by voluntary contributions, to erect a building for a semi- 
nary of learning; and did actually commence a building for the 
seminary at White Hall, in Green County; but the citizens of 
Lebanon, about the same time, also commenced with subscrip- 
tions to erect a college edifice at Lebanon, St. Clair County, 
and proceeding to some extent, the Methodist conference urged 
the propriety to unite the efforts of both these institutions into 
one, and it to be located at Lebanon, to which Mr. Cartwright 
consented, and the Lebanon seminary was established, by 
stockholders, in the year 1828. It was then placed under the 
patronage of the "Methodist Conference," and the Rev. E. R. 
Ames, was employed as teacher. By a resolution of the stock- 



MY OWN TIMES. 275 

holders, the name of McKendre College was given to the insti- 
tution in 1830, and in 1833, the Rev. Peter Akcrs was elected 
the president. In 1834, an act of General Assembly was passed 
incorporating the college, and accepted by the board of trus- 
tees. 

The following is a list of the presidents of McKendre Col- 
lege: Rev. Peter Akers, elected in 1833; Rev. John Dew, in 
1837; Rev. John W. Merril, in 1838; Rev. James C. Finley, in 
1 841; Rev. Peter Akers, in 1845; Rev. Erastus Wentworth, in 
1846; Rev. A. W. Cummings, in 1850; and Rev. Peter Akers, 
in 1852, who is the president at this time. 

This college is well furnished with philosophical and other 
apparatus necessary to advance all the various branches of edu- 
cation, and also with a library of six or seven thousand vol- 
umes. A museum is also attached to it, containing specimens 
of geology, minerology, ornithology, and other things. 

The primitive buildings of wood were good in their day, and 
are retained at this time for the chapel attached to the college. 
The new buildings are splendid and elegent, and in just pro- 
portion to the rise and progress of the country. They are com- 
posed of brick, and finished in the most approved style of archi- 
tecture. Their capacious apartments are capable to accommo- 
date two or three hundred students, and other large additions 
are being made for halls and other accommodations of the col- 
lege. 

This college is amply endowed, so that its permanency and 
usefulness are secured, and its present successful operation 
under the talented and worthy board of trustees is cheering to 
the friends of education. This college labored for many years 
in poverty and adversity, but its friends never despaired, and 
have at last accomplished the original design of the institution 
to their satisfaction. At this day, it contains more than one 
hundred and fifty students, and stands a proud monument of 
the abilities and energies of the citizens of Lebanon. This 
institution has educated more young men than any other in the 
State; and many of the students of McKendre College are now 
among the most accomplished scholars in the West, and many 
are distinguished and marked characters in both public and 
private life. 

The Rev. Mr. Ellis, a Presbyterian preacher and missionary, 
from New England, about this time commenced a college to be 
located in Bond County, and had obtained some considerable 
amount of money subscribed for the institution. Trustees were 
appointed, and after much mental labor and canvassing in the 
premises, it was finally located at Jacksonville, as that town had 
subscribed more funds to the institution than Springfield or any 
other place. A small building for a college, at first, was erect- 
ed in 1829; and about that time an association of theological 



2/6 MY OWN TIMES. 

students was formed in Yale College in the East to establish a 
college in the West. A correspondence was commenced be- 
tween them and the trustees of the Jacksonville Seminary, and 
a union formed. In August, 1832, the institution was organ- 
ized, and called "The Illinois College." The various depart- 
ments were formed with their proper professorships, and the 
Rev, Edward Beecher was elected the first president. The 
trustees prevailed on Prof John Russell, of Bluff Dale, to make 
the inaugural address in Latin, which he did to the entire satis- 
faction of the literati present. 

The fine edifice of this institution, which was of brick in 
1832, was burnt in 1852; but another building, more splendid 
and capacious than the first, is now erected. This institution 
has done much service to the country, and bids fair to continue 
its usefulness. 

John Tillson, Esq., mostly at his private expense, erected a 
tasty and elegant building in Hillsborough, in Montgomery 
County for a seminary of learning, and in it was taught many 
young men. This institution at Hillsborough commenced in 
early days, when the country needed such high-schools and 
seminaries. The Germans purchased the buildings of the 
seminary at Hillsborough, and established in them a theologi- 
cal school and seminary of learning. It has since been removed 
to Springfield. 

About the year 1831, the Shurtlefif College, as heretofore 
stated, commenced at Alton, and is at this day in successful 
operation. 

At Paris, in Edgar County, the Methodists erected a seminary 
of more recent date. 

Almost thirty years past, Mr. Wyman emigrated from Hills- 
borough, in Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, and established 
there a high-school, where the higher branches of literature 
were taught. This seminary was continued for many years, 
and greatly advanced the public interest. 



CHAPTER XCVL 

Early Literature in Illinois. — Morris Birkbeck, Esq. — Dr. Lewis C. 
Beck. — Dr. John M. Peck. — Hon. James Hall. — Hon. Sidney 
Breese. — Prof. John Russell. — The Venomous Worm. — Mr. M. 
Tarver. — The Western Journal and Civilian. — Antiquarian Histori- 
cal Society at Vandalia. 

The rise and progress of literature in a new country is so 
gradual and imperceptible that it is almost impossible to define 
and record its commencement and march with any certainty. 
It is not of such a character as to be defined and written down 
like many other subjects. 



MY OWN TIMES. 2// 

If I were permitted to make an epoch in the rise and pro- 
gress of Hterature in the history of IHinois, I would place it in 
the year i8i8 — the time the State Government was organized. 
This event attracted a great many intelligent and literary char- 
acters to the State, who made a decided impression on the 
country at that* period. 

I think it may be recorded, that Morris Birkbeck was the first 
Hterary man who settled in Illinois. He explored the south- 
eastern section of the State in 1815, or thereabouts, and wrote 
sketches of the country. These pieces were published in the 
public journals, which had a tendency to make the country 
known to the public. Mr. Birkbeck had, deservedly, considera- 
ble celebrity as an author and a man of letters. 

The next pioneer of literature was Dr. Lewis C. Peck, of St. 
Louis, wrote "A Gazetteer of Missouri and Illinois." This 
work was published in 1823, and is a valuable book. His 
statements of facts are generally correct, and the work is cred- 
itable to the author and serviceable to the public. 

About 1819, the Rev. Dr. John M. Peck, James Hall, Esq., 
of Shawneetown, Prof John Russell, of Bluff Dale, Green 
County, and the Hon. Sidney Breese, now of Carlyle, appeared 
in the State, and gave science and literature a decided stand in 
the country. 

Besides the above-named gentlemen, many professional men, 
mostly lawyers, and some others, located in Illinois, and added 
considerably to the mental improvement of the country. 

Dr. John M. Peck wrote many volumes, and delivered many 
lectures. He wrote "The New Guide for Emigrants," and "The 
Gazetteer of Illinois." Both of these works are well written, 
and show great research and accuracy in the author. They are 
small but standard works on the subjects they treat. He also 
revised, and almost wrote in the new, "The Annals of the 
West," which the Rev. Mr, Perkins had published. In this 
work he also displayed much talent and research. It is, at this 
day, an excellent history of the Mississippi Valley. The last 
work he wrote was "The Biography of Father Clark." This 
volume has done much to raise the character of the author as 
a good writer, as well as to advance the cause of religion. His 
style is strong, bold, and energetic. His labors are also directed 
in collecting and preserving material for Western history, which 
he is now writing. 

Judge Hall is a distinguished scholar and writer. He settled 
in Illinois, and entered the field of literature and science, as 
well as the practice of the law. He was the editor of the 
Western Monthly Magazine, and the Western Sonve^iir. Both 
these periodicals were creditable to the author and serviceable 
to the country. He was elected president of the Antiquarian 
and Historical Society, established at the seat of government of 



278 • MY OWN TIMES. 

Illinois in 1827, and delivered addresses that were considered 
chaste and eloquent. The Illmois Intellige^icer was, for a long 
time, ably edited by him at Vandalia, and in this paper, litera- 
ture found an able advocate from the pen of Judge Hall. He 
is a smooth, chaste, and polished writer, always doing his sub- 
ject ample justice. "" 

The Hon. Sidney Breese has done much to advance literature 
in the State. He was for many years the editor of public jour- 
nals, and always distinguished himself as an able and efficient 
literary writer. He was the editor of the first reports of the 
supreme court of the State, known as " Breese's Reports," 
which shows the author to be a person of strong intellect, and 
also an able literary writer. His speeches in the senate of the 
congress of the United States, while he was a member of that 
body, gave him standing as a literary character as well as an 
able statesman. 

Judge Breese also wrote and delivered some lectures on the 
early settlement of Illinois by the French that were pronounced 
good. His style is strong and energetic, and also contains 
smoothness and perspicuity that are marked on all his compo- 
sitions. 

Prof John Russell, of Bluff Dale, Green County, Illinois, 
holds a conspicuous and distinguished rank among the literati 
of the West. He has devoted his life to study, and now stands 
in the front rank of science and literature. Nature bestowed on 
him a mind capacious and strong, and his labors have achieved 
much celebrity. He has bestowed much of his time and talent 
on the study of the languages, and is a scholar not only in the 
dead languages but also in the modern tongues. He under- 
stands the French and German languages almost as well as he 
does the English, but I think he excels in his chaste, beautiful, 
and elegant composition. His style is smooth, classic, and 
polished, and his composition flows on in such harmony and 
elegance that it often reaches the elevated region of poetry. 
He writes the pure English language in opposition to the 
fungous growth to the English of foreign dialects, and has the 
good taste to content himself with short syllables when they are 
appropriate. 

Of the early history of Mr. Russell I know nothing, except 
the few items I have obtained from my talented friend, the 
Rev. Dr.^Peck, and from others. I have found Mr. Russell, as 
I believe every one else has done, n^t very communicative 
about himself or his writings. This must be my excuse for 
giving so meagre and unsatisfying an account of one of our 
literary characters whom the late Gov. Ford, in his history of 
Illinois, has pronounced a man of genius and a fine writer. 

Mr. Russell is a native of Cavendish, Vermont; was educated 
at Middlebury College, in that State, and graduated in the class 



MY OWN TIMES. 279 

■of 18 17. Not long after leaving college he came to the West, 
the State of Indiana, where he married a daughter of Capt. 
Spencer, (late of the United States Army,) a young lady of fine 
talents, and early in the spring of 18 19 removed to the then 
Territory of Missouri, and settled on the banks of the Missouri 
River, in St. Louis County, where, and in St. Louis, they re- 
sided a few years, whence they removed to this State and set- 
tled in Green County, on a beautiful and romantic place at the 
foot of the Bluffs of the Illinois River, since known by the 
name of Bluff Dale. At this place Mr. Russell still resides. 
His habits are remarkably retiring, and most of his lifetime is 
■devoted to literary pursuits. Perhaps no man in the State has 
been a more indefatigable student than he. Of his character 
as a literary man, and of the character of his writings, I have 
already spoken. Most of the productions of his pen, however, 
have been published without his name. As an instance of his 
reluctance to appear before the public; while Dr. Peck was 
temporarily residing in one of the largest of our eastern cities, 
Mr. Russell sent to him the manuscript of a small volume, for 
publication, with an injunction not to make known the name of 
the author. The book was published, was afterward stereo- 
typed, and is yet in circulation; but I am told, on the authority 
of the Rev. Dr. Peck, that the publishers do not, to this day, 
know the name of the author. 

An article of his, "The Piasa," written for an Eastern maga- 
zine, ran rapidly through the American press. About three 
years afterward, it appeared in a French periodical, translated 
word for word into that language, bearing the name, as its 
author, of a Frenchman who had figured somewhat in this 
country. He pretended that the story had been told to him 
by an Indian chief Dr. Peck exposed the fraud through an 
American paper of wide circulation, the result of which was 
rather mortifying to the pretended author. 

He has devoted the greater part of his life to the promotion 
of the higher branches of education in various colleges, not only 
in his adopted State, but also in many others in the West. In 
all these literary and scientific positions, he distinguished him- 
self as a scholar and professor of great merit. He has written 
much for the periodicals and literary journals, and has edited 
public journals himself One single production of his, known 
as "The Venomous Worm," has gained for him great celebrity. 
This piece is published in Europe in many different languages, 
and is found in almost all of the American and British school- 
books. I have here inserted it, and commend it particularly to 
my youthful readers: 

"The Venomous Worm — 'Outvenoms all the worms of 
Nile.' Who has not heard of the rattlesnake and the copper- 
head? An unexpected sight of either of these reptiles will 



28o MY OWN TIMES. 

make even the lords of creation recoil. But there is a species 
of worm, found in various parts of this State, which conveys a 
poison of a nature so deadly, that, compared with it, even the 
venom of the rattlesnake is harmless. To guard our readers 
against this foe of the human kind, is the object of this lesson. 

"This worm varies much in size. It is frequently an inch in 
diameter; but, as it is rarely seen, except when coiled, its length 
can hardly be conjectured. It is of a dull lead-color, and gen- 
erally lives near a spring or a small stream of water, and bites 
the unfortunate people who are in the habit of going there to 
drink. The brute creation it never molests. They avoid it 
with the same instinct that teaches the animals of Peru to shun 
the deadly Coya. 

"Several of these reptiles have long infested our settlements, 
to the misery and destruction of many of our fellow-citizens. 
I have, therefore, had frequent opportunities of being the mel- 
ancholy spectator of the effects produced by the subtle poison 
which this worm infuses. 

"The symptoms of its bite are terrible. The eyes of the 
patient becomes red and fiery; his tongue swells to an immod- 
erate size, and obstructs his utterance; and delirium of the most 
horrid character quickly follows. Sometimes in his madness he 
attempts the destruction of his dearest friends. 

"If the sufferer has a family, his weeping wife and helpless 
infants are not unfrequently the objects of his frantic fury. In 
a word, he exhibits, to the life, all the detestable passions that 
rankle in the bosom of a savage — and such is the spell in which 
his senses are locked, that no sooner has the unhappy patient 
recovered from the paroxysm of insanity, occasioned by the 
bite, than he seeks out the destroyer for the sole purpose of 
being bitten again. 

"I have seen a good, old father, his locks as white as snow, 
his steps slow and trembling, beg in vain of his only son to quit 
the lurking-place of the worm. My heart bled when he turned 
away, for I knew the fond hope that his son would be the 'stafic 
of his declining years' had supported him through many a 
sorrow. 

"Youths of America, would you know the name of this rep- 
tile. It is called the worm of the still." 

Prof Russell has done much to impress the public mind in 
the West with the more elevated and classic principles of 
science and literature. 

Another distinguished individual, Mr. M. Tarver, of St. Louis, 
Missouri, senior editor of the Western Journal and Civilian, has 
for many years poured a constant and efficient stream oi litera- 
ture and intelligence into the great reservoir of mental improve- 
ment in the West, which has rendered him not only conspicuous 
and distinguished as an author, but also the public has been 
greatly benefited by his efforts. 



MY OWN TIMES. 281 

Mr. Tarver was born in the State of North CaroHna, in the 
year 1794, and was raised in agricultural pursuits. 

In the year 18 14, he immigrated with his father to Georgia; 
in 18 18, he became a citizen ol Alabama; and in 1842, he loca- 
ted in St. Louis, Missouri. At full age, he became a merchant. 
He studied law, and about the thirtieth year of his age com- 
menced the practice. He retired from the bar, and became a 
cotton-planter in Alabama. At the age of fifty-three, he located 
in St. Louis, Missouri, as above stated, where he commenced the 
publication of the Western Journal, at present known as the 
Western Joitrnal and Civilian. 

I have taken the liberty to present his various pursuits in life 
to show his ability to conduct the Journal more efficiently, as 
he has actual experience in three great pursuits of wealth and 
honor, to wit: agriculture, commerce, and the practice of law. 
A practical knowledge of these various avocations enables him 
to make the Journal more serviceable to the public. 

He has had the assistance of Mr. Risk, in former days, with 
the Journal, and at present Mr. Cobb. He has published 
eighty- four numbers of the work, and the demand for the 
Jonrnal is increasing rapidly. 

The following is the system on which the Western Journal 
and Civilian is conducted, taken from an able review of that 
work: "The plan of the Journal, embracing the entire subject 
of political economy, much labor has been directed to different 
branches of that science. 

"The elements of wealth, the division of labor, the natural 
laws of commerce, the artificial agents of exchange, money, 
credit, banks, industrial corporations, and public improvements, 
have all claimed and received our consideration. 

"The elements of these several subjects have been carefully 
investigated; and we have endeavored to form a system adapted 
to the character, pursuits, and social institutions of the Ameri- 
can people — a system conforming to the climate, territorial ex- 
tent, and hydrography of our continent, and its geographical 
relations with other countries." 

This is the system on which the Journal has been conducted 
for many years past, in which time it has gained tor itself much 
fame and celebrity, as well as advanced the best interests of the 
country. 

Mr. Tarver labors incessantly to make the Journal useful and 
acceptible to the public. He has accomplished much, and is, on 
the highway, not only to a distinguished celebrity and charac- 
ter, but what is far better, to advance the best interests of the 
country. 

His style of composition is strong and efficient, calculated 
more to convince the judgment than to excite the passions. 

The citizens of St. Louis are preparing his marble bust to 



282 MY OWN TIMES. 

present to the Mercantile Library of that city. This is done to 
do honor to him and his able efforts in the Journal to advance 
the character and interests of the West. 

In December, 1827, the society known as "The Antiquarian 
and Historical Society of Illinois," which existed for a few 
years, was organized at Vandalia, the seat of government, and 
received a considerable number of books. The first officers 
were James Hall, president; Gov. Coles and Judge Wilson, vice- 
presidents; James Whitlock, secretary; and Robert H. Peebles, 
librarian. The corresponding committee were John M. Robin- 
son, John Reynolds, Sidney Breese, George Forquer, and Ben- 
jamin Mills. 

I was one of the few persons who established this society, 
but I was so much involved in other business that I had not 
time to give it much or any of my attention. A constitution 
was adopted, and adjourned to meet on the 22d of December, 
1828. 

The society did meet, but did not effect any great or useful 
object, as such institutions may do. 

In an issue of the Illinois Intcllige?icer, dated 14th February, 
1829. is the following: "We publish this week the proceedings 
of the Antiquarian Historical Society of this State, and we 
earnestly recommend this subject to the attention of our read- 
ers. The improvement of the country, and its advancement in 
literature, are of more importance to the people than the eleva- 
tion of an ambitious aspirant, or the quarrels of demagogues." 



CHAPTER XCVII. 

Improvements of the Country. — The Author Offers for Congress. — Is 
Elected. — Mr. Snyder and Mr. Humphries his Opponents. — Gov. 
Kinney and Gen. Duncan Offers for Governor. — Duncan is Elected. 
The Hon, ^Mr. Klade, the Member in Congress, Dies, and the Author 
IS Elected in his Place. 

The State improved during the years immediately succeed- 
ing the Black-Hawk war with increased rapidity. 

Many of the volunteers were enabled, by the payments they 
received from the Government for the military services, to pur- 
chase homes for themselves of the public lands. This war had 
the effect to circulate much money throughout the State. The 
whole expenses of the war were eight or ten millions of dollars, 
and the greater portion of it was paid out to the Illinois volun- 
teers. 

Being in the office of governor for some years. I was pre- 
vented from the practice of the law, and in the time had been 
engaged in political life, until it commenced to be a kind of 



MY OWN TIMES. 283 

second nature to me. Moreover, I was then young, ardent, and 
ambitious, so that I really thought it was right for me to offer 
for congress, and I did so in the spring of 1834. I knew the 
people were generally satisfied with my conduct as governor, 
and well pleased with the course I pursued in the Black-Hawk 
war, particularly the treaties that removed the Indians from the 
State and its borders, were decidedly popular. 

At that day, in 1834, the convention-system was not estab- 
lished, and as many persons offered their services as pleased. 
The State then contained three congressional districts, and that 
in which I offered extended up from the mouth of the Ohio, to 
include Macoupin County, and east to embrace Washington, 
Clinton, and Bond. There were fifteen counties in the district. 
This district contained a large Democratic majority, and no 
Whig offered for congress at that election. There were in the 
field three candidates for congress. A. W. Snyder, Esq., Col. 
Edward Humphries, and myself, all Democrats, and Jackson 
men. All the candidates offered without a convention. 

Mr. Snyder, the candidate for congress, was a conspicuous 
and distinguished character, a popular member 01 the general 
assembly, and possessed great strength and versatility of talent. 
He had been, in his youth, deprived of a classic education, and 
was a self-taught man. But the natural powers of his mind 
were strong and energetic, and he studied the human character 
in all its variouS phases. He possessed, in an eminent degree, 
the talent to advance himself in the good graces of the people. 
His address was agreeable, polite, and courteous. His speeches 
were generally short, eloquent, and prepossessing. His voice 
was excellent, and his addresses were generally received by his 
audience with marked approbation, and frequently produced 
powerful effects. He was then youthful, ardent, and ambitious. 
Labor with him in electioneering was a pleasure, and his socia- 
bility and incessant intercourse with the masses seemed to be 
his pleasure and happiness. Mr. Snyder was then, in 1834, a 
practising lawyer, and was extremely popular at the bar. He 
always possessed the happy faculty of making the jurors be- 
lieve he had the right side of the cause. Scarcely any person 
had superior talent of making a bad case in court look well. 
With these rare qualities and abilities, he rose to eminence in 
the State, and was nominated by a Democratic convention to 
be a candidate for governor. He would have been, in all 
human probability, elected governor in 1842, but before the 
election he died, much regretted by the people. 

Col. Humphries, my other opponent, was a gentleman of 
good, sound talents, and had been for many years an officer in 
the land-office at Kaskaskia. He had been a warm supporter 
of Crawford, and was in the congressional election, an iiltra- 
Jackson man. He was a more violent and proscriptive man 



284 MY "own- TlMBiS, 

than either Mr. Snyder or myself. He canvassed the district 
considerably, but ~ made no stump-speeches^, and was not known 
in many of the counties, but he received a goodly number of 
votes. Nevertheless, the contest for a seat in congress was 
between Mr. Snyder and myself I was tolerably well in- 
formed in the science of electioneering with the masses. I was 
raised with the people in the State, and was literally one of 
them. We always acted together,' and our common instincts, 
feelings, and interests were the same. Under these circum- 
stances, the people generally gave me their support. My 
stump-speeches were generally well received by the people, and 
if I were to venture an opinion of them, I would say they made 
no pretention to eloquence or classic elegance, yet when they 
were uttered in congress, in the courts of justice, or in the gath- 
erings of the people around the stump, they attracted the at- 
tention of the audience. They flow naturally and purely from 
the heart, which supplies in them many defects. 

It is strange, when a person is in an excited and zealous 
contest for an election, the whole transaction then appears just 
and proper, but years afterward, when the passion subsides, 
and all things are changed, and the actors are sobered down to 
common sense. These election contests appear to me to be 
horrid and absurd; that so much energy and exertion should be 
used on these occasions. These hot and excited contests are 
not injurious to ..the public. Much discussion is excited by 
them among the people, and the masses will become enough 
• interested to discuss and inform themselves on political sub- 
jects. When- there is no party, and a general apathy prevails 
among the people, they will not inform themselves on political 
subjects, and cannot vote with judgment and propriety. 

Those canvassing for office, and the few elected, are poorly 
paid for their services, if patriotism be not their object. The 
best years of a man's life, his talents, whatever they may be, 
and all his energies are exerted for the benefit of the people, 
and perhaps rewarded with neglect and oblivion. The pittance 
of pecuniary compensation never requited any person for his 
official services, if he was worthy to be in office at all. I sin- 
cerely state that I never regarded as important the salary of 
office, but I entered the public service with a sincere desire to 
■ advance the best interest of the country, which was my main 
reward. I labored assiduously and incessantly to accomplish 
it. Truth also requires me to state that I was ambitious to act 
in such a manner that the sober judgment of the people would 
approve of my conduct. The main recompense for a public 
officer is, to know he has acted just and right, and that his 
countrymen approve it. If a person would subdue his ambition 
for office, and remain a private citizen, I repeat, as I have 
before stated in this work, that he would be a more happy man. 



MY OWN TIMES. 28$ 

There is no person happy who is in public office or canvassing 
for office. The aspirations, and the state of mind actuating him 
at the time, destroy much of the happiness that might other- 
wise exist in the breast of a public officer, or an aspirant for 
office. When a person has been in public life for years, it 
becomes a second-nature to him, and few possess the moral 
courage to abandon it. This accounts for many remaining in 
office as an occupation. 

At the same election, in August, 1834, Gov. Kinney and the 
Hon. Joseph Duncan were candidates for governor, also without 
convention, and Mr. Duncan was elected. The governor elect 
did not return home from the East during the election canvass, 
but addressed circulars to the people. If he had been at home 
it is doubtful if he would have been elected, as he had entirely 
abandoned the Democratic party and joined the Whigs, which 
a great portion of his supporters would not believe until they 
were forced to the unwelcome belief 

In the summer of 1834, the Hon. Charles Slade, the member 
in congress from this district, was seized with the cholera on his 
return home, and died. This death left in the district a va- 
cancy, and I was elected to fill it, without any organized 
opposition. At this time I was elected for three years in 
congress, and I entered on a new public theatre entirely. 



CHAPTER XCVIII. 

The Author a Member of Congress. — It is Difficult to Effect much in 
that Body. — Character of David Crockett. — City of Baltimore. — City 
of Washington. — President Jackson and the Augustan Age of Con- 
gress. 

I WAS now a Member of Congress — about forty-six years 
old — and had been scarcely ever out of Illinois. I had trav- 
elled none, and scarcely ever entered into any society, except 
that of the masses. I was a backwoodsman, sleeping and 
walking, acting and thinking, and in fact in everything. I had 
then never seen a city larger than St. Louis, and in truth most 
of the improvements, and many other things, of which I had 
read, appeared different to me from what I had anticipated. 

I entered into this congressional career with a determination 
to perform all I was able for my constituents, and I presumed it 
would be a good deal. I had been in the habit of effecting 
many measures in Illinois, and I sincerely believed I would be 
able to do the same in congress. I thought some measures 
were so manifestly right and just — such as reducing the price of 
the public lands, obtaining appropriations to improve rivers, 
and the like — that they could be easily accomphshed. But 



286- MY OWN TIMES. 

when I entered the halls of congress, I discovered instantly that 
this body was much greater than I had supposed, and I could 
effect less than I had contemplated. Many of the greatest 
men in the nation — perhaps in the world — were there assem- 
bled, and had had their minds, for a long time, made up on 
these great and important subjects, so that congress was im- 
movable on them. Not only in this respect was I mistaken, 
but in many other things. I wrote back home from Washing- 
ton City truly my impressions; that I found many of the public 
men much less than I had expected, and the buildings much 
larger — yet many of the distinguished diameters were even 
greater than I had supposed. 

I left Belleville about the middle of November, 1834, and 
passed over the country by land to Louisville. I fell in with 
two members of congress, the Hon. David Crockett, of Ten- 
nessee, and the Hon. Thomas Chilton, of Kentucky; we trav- 
elled together on the Ohio River to Wheeling. 

This was the first time I had travelled on this beautiful 
stream, and I was delighted with it. The ancient names on the 
Ohio I had heard since I was a youth, and seeing the places 
themselves forced on me the early settlement of the country. 

I found the Hon. Mr. Crockett to be, in my opinion, not such 
a character in reality as the public prints and public opinwn 
had represented him. He appeared to be a man of about 
forty-five years old, and was of rather large and portly person. 
He was fleshy, and demonstrated no intellectual superiority. 
Good-nature and benevolence marked his features, and an inex- 
haustible store of humor and mirth was at his command. He 
had not been blessed with a liberal or classic education, but he 
had acquired much information of men and the common con- 
cerns of life. His forte was his benevolence and kindness of 
heart. He possessed at the end of his tongue many anecdotes 
and humorous stories, mostly on hunting or electioneering. 
He possessed a good sound judgment, but no brilliancy or "the 
etherial fire of genius." Circumstances made Crockett what he 
was. This is the case, more or less, with all mankind. He and 
his constituents were well matched. He was very bitter 
against Jackson and his "Kitchen Cabinet," as Kendall and 
Blair were then called. He said Kendall should be hung, but 
corruption and malignity had made him so lean and light that 
he could not be hung dead by a rope around his neck until hi^ 
pockets were filled with macadamized rocks to weight him 
down. He had a great fund of such anecdotes. 

He was on his way to Philadelphia, before he went to con- 
gress, to see about "His Life" — a book he had written. At 
Wheeling he left us. He was a bitter opponent in congress of 
Jackson's administration. 

The National Road, at Wheeling, was the first macadamized 



MY OWN TIMES, 28/ 

road I ever beheld; and the railroad at Fredericksburg, in 
Maryland, extending to Baltimore, was the first I ever saw. 

The city of Baltimore was to my eye grand and magnificent. 
I could not, by reading, realize the beauties and grandeur of 
the city so much as to see it. The large edifices, the monu- 
ments, and the shipping in the harbor, all struck my back- 
woods' mind with wonder and surprise. I recollect that my 
first letters home stated that talents and money could accom- 
plish almost any improvement. I had not the least idea that 
such improvements as I saw could be made at all. I saw the 
water in the bay, which was my first sigJit of a branch of an 
ocean. The shipping in the harbor was another curiosity. I 
was something like a country boy when he goes to town for the 
first time with his father — everything is new and strange to 
him. And many things were so to me. But the greatest and 
most interesting spectacle of all was the government and the 
seat of government of this great republic. The site of the city 
of Washington, and the city itself, are grand and imposing 
objects, and attract universal attention for their beauty and 
splendor — but it was the assemblage of great men at the seat of 
government of the United States, and at the opening of Con- 
gress, where a grand and imposing spectacle was presented. 
At the time I entered congress, in 1834, President Jackson was 
in the zenith of his fame and high standing, and was at that 
time the most distinguished man among them all. 

When the Roman Empire reached the highest pinnacle of 
literary fame and political power, in the reign of Augustus 
Csesar, the period was called the "Augustan age." There was 
a period that existed eminently in the Jackson administration, 
and a few years after, that might be called the Augustan age 
of Congress. Such an extraordinary constellation of great and 
distinguished individuals may never again appear in office at 
the seat of government. 

The cabinet of President Jackson at this time was John 
Forsythe, secretary of state; Levi Woodbury, secretary of the 
treasury; Lewis Cass, secretary of the war department; Mah- 
lon Dickinson, secretary of the navy department; William T. 
Barry, postmaster-general; and B. F, Butler, attorney-general. 
The administration was strong and safe in the hands of the 
President and his cabinet. 



288 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER XCIX. 

Party -Spirit in Congress. — The Globe and Intelligencer Newspapers. 
— Eminent Men in Congress. — Party-Spirit, when it is Sectional, is 
Dangerous and Wrong. 

On the first Monday of December, 1834, I was sworn in a 
■member of congress, and took my seat. Hon. John Bell, of 
Tennessee, was speaker, and Walter Franklin, clerk. I was 
placed by the speaker on the Committee of Roads and Canals, 
the same occupied by my predecessor, Hon. Charles Slade, of 
Carlyle, Illinois. 

When I entered Congress, party-spirit and party-excitement 
raged there with the greatest force that bitter and acrimonious 
discussion could extend it. All the sarcastic invectives, boiled, 
as it were, into aqua fortis, that the English language could 
furnish, was used in many speeches in congress, and every 
bitter and scathing idea that words could convey, was often 
hurled with great force at each other in the halls of congress. 
Jackson's administation came in for its share, but these fiery- 
missiles became common and harmless. Like the man eating 
arsenic — he got so used to it that it did not hurt him — so it was 
in congress, it became so common that it disturbed nobody. 

The two leading journals at Washington City, that issued 
daily papers in 1834, were the Globe, conducted by Blair and 
Rives, and the National Intelligencer, by Gales and Seaton. 
The Globe issued fiery and scorching philippics, burning as 
if they emanated from a red-hot furnace, while the Intelligen- 
eer was equally powerful, but more mild and dignified in its 
bearing. Blair and Gales were both exceedingly talented and 
distinguished editors, but of quite different characters. Each 
editor, to a great extent, represented his party. The Globe 
was the organ at Washington of the Democratic party, and 
the Intelligeneer of the Whig party. Blair was progressive, 
enthusiastic, and extremely ardent; while Gales was more 
conservative, staid, and circumspect. The policy of the one 
was radical, and almost agrarian; while the other attempted 
to guide the ship of state within the ancient and approved 
channel, and risk nothing in search of novelties. One paper 
cast itself on the masses for support, while the other enter- 
tained a "holy horror" of the excesses and exuberances of wild 
Democracy. Blair respected no institution, bank or other, 
for their antiquity or respectability, if he supposed they were 
corrupt and the public good required their destruction; while 
the other, the venerable Gales, paid the utmost respect and 
defended "vested rights," and sober usages of Washington and 



MY OWN TIMES. 289 

other fathers of the Republic. Both these papers were sus- 
tained with great hberahty, and their circulation reached the 
most remote corners of the Union, containing the standard 
principles of their respective parties. It must not be omitted, 
that Amos Kendall, who is one of the most able partizan 
writers in America, wrote much for the Globe. Gales was 
aged, talented, and profound in his profession, and seemed to 
conduct the Intelligencer with equal ability with the Globe — 
but his party was then on the wane, which placed his paper a 
shade in the background. 

I never saw the force and power of the press so much verified 
as I did at the City of Washington. Either of the journals, 
the Globe or Intelligencer, in advocating a public man, al- 
though his talents may be limited, could render him popular 
with his party, despised by the other, and elevate him above 
his compeers. In fact, the abuse of a public character by either 
party would generally make the other take him up and sustain 
him. This was the excess of party-spirit. It was generally 
understood that the above papers, were the organs of their 
respective parties, which was the main reason they wielded this 
great power. 

The Globe received the public printing for many years, which 
made the conductors princely fortunes. In the management of 
the Globe, the organ of the President, it became necessary for 
him to consult often with Blair and Kendall, which was a 
reason, among others, for the Whig party to ridicule and con- 
demn "Jackson's Kitchen Cabinet," which was composed of 
Blair and Kendall. The Whigs alleged that it was the 
■"Kitchen Cabinet" that advised the President to remove so 
many Whigs from office and put Democrats in their places. 
The movements of this cabinet were bitterly handled by the 
Whig press at that day. At this time removals of this charac- 
ter are quite common. 

Some time before I reached Washington City, the President 
had re- organized his cabinet, and the old members retired. 
The Whigs called this an explosion, and ridiculed it. They 
said that it reminded them of the sailor fresh from the ocean, 
where hard times are common, but desirous to see fun went to 
a show. In the cellar of the house, under the place where the 
play was performing, some powder was stored, and by accident 
a spark of fire reached it and it exploded. The people were 
dashed about considerably, and the sailor was cast back into a 
garden. He raised himself up, brushing the dirt out of his 
eyes, and asked: "What in hell are they going to show next.-*" 
If it were worse, he "would not attend the play any longer." 
The sailor supposed the explosion was a regular part of the 
performance. The Whigs asked, "What would Jackson show 
next.?" 

10 



290 MY OWN TIMES. 

It was a cant phrase in Illinois, when a person was halting' 
between two parties, that he was on "Pea Ridge." I wrote 
home a private letter, yet it reached the press, that in Congress 
no one was then on "Pea Ridge." There was no such place ia 
either house of Congress in those heated party-times. 

It is supposed it was the agitation and discussion of the war 
question with Britain in 18 12, that caused so many great and 
eminent men to appear in congress during the administration of 
Gen. Jackson, and for some administrations thereafter. I sin- 
cerely believe that no body of men ever existed — the Senate or 
Rome, the British House of Peers, or any other — that equalled 
the Senate of the Congress of the United States in the year 
1840, and a few years before and after. The following Senators 
were members of that body at times during this "Augustan 
age" of Congress: Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Wright, Wood- 
bury, Cass, Buchanan, Benton, White, Davis, Grundy, John 
Ewing, Crittenden, Preston, Allen, Porter, Choate, Poindexter, 
Black, and others. In the house of representatives, were John 
Q. Adams, Bell, Polk, Ben. Hardin, Fillmore, Pearce, Marshall, 
Burges, Pickens, and Cumberling, who were great and eminent 
men, and many others of almost equal merit. Three of the 
members of the lower house, Messrs. Polk, Fillmore, and Pearce, 
were afterwards elected to the Presidency. Party-spirit was 
raging and carried to the greatest extent. 

In a free government, parties are necessary, if they are con- 
ducted on just and proper principles. They excite the masses 
to reflect on and discuss the necessary politics of the country, 
but when party-spirit is carried too far, or when parties assume 
a sectional or local character, they are dangerous and should be 
suppressed. Whenever one section of the country is arraigned 
against the other, as it sometimes is on the question of slavery^ 
it does not produce good results and should be abandoned. 
Whenever the people over this great republic permit themselves 
to become jealous of one another, or allow their sectional feel- 
ings to govern them, so as to produce an angry and bad feeling 
in the nation, it is wrong, and all good men should unite to 
suppress it, and cause harmony and good-will to reign through- 
out the republic. 

CHAPTER C. 

Sketch of the Life and Character of General Jackson. — Anecdote of 
Him with the Child and Lamb. — Sketch of Henry Clay. — The Prin- 
ciples of the Whig and Democratic Parties. 

President Jackson was born in the State of South Carolina, 
and was, when a youth, in the Revolutionary war. He received 
a limited education, and in the year 1784, studied law in Salis- 



MY OWN TIMES. 29I 

bury, North Carolina. He was admitted to the bar in 1786, and 
in 1788, he settled in West Tennessee, in the present city of 
Nashville. In 1796, he was a member of the convention that 
formed the constitution of the State of Tennessee. He was 
elected the first member of congress to the house of representa- 
tives, and the year following he was elected to the senate of the 
United States. He resigned the office of senator, as he said he 
disliked the political juggling he had to encounter in the senate. 

In his early life, he was elected major-general of the militia, 
and remained in that office until the year 18 14, when he was 
appointed major-general in the United States army. 

Gen. Jackson was appointed a judge of the supreme court of 
Tennessee, but he resigned that office also. 

At the close of the war of 1812, and after his brilliant victory 
at New Orleans, he retired to the Hermitage, on the Cumber- 
land River, a few miles above Nashville, and there remained in 
quiet and peace until the people called on him to fill the highest 
office in the republic. His own State, Tennessee, in 1822, 
nominated him for the Presidency, and the next was the State 
of Pennsylvania. At the election in November, 1824, Gen. 
Jackson did not succeed, but at the next election, in 1828, he 
was triumphantly dlected. 

His enemies, and some of his friends, considered him to pos- 
sess a temper too irrascible, hasty, and violent for civil office. 
It was feared by his warmest friends, who were not intimate 
with his character, that he was too impulsive and reckless for 
civil employment, but when his true character was better 
known, it was discovered that he was mild, agreeable, and 
benevolent in the extreme when he was clear of a violent and 
hasty gust of passion which at times visited him. And although 
he possessed firmness of character in an eminent degree, yet he 
reflected profoundly and considered well with his sound judg- 
ment on all great measures before he made a decision, and 
when his judgment was formed, he would not change it under 
any circumstances until he was convinced that he was in error. 
His firmness was one of the great leading traits of his charac- 
ter, yet he was not obstinate, but when he was convinced of an 
error, he had the moral courage to change his opinion. The fol- 
lowing anecdote is told of him by Col. Benton, in his book, and 
exhibits Gen. Jackson in his true character: Col. Benton called 
on Gen. Jackson one wet, rainy evening at the Hermitage. It 
was cold and chilly, and Col. Benton found Gen. Jackson before 
the fire with a child and lamb. The child wanted the lamb 
brought in the house out of the rain and placed by the fire. 
The General had indulged the child, and had both the child 
and lamb with him before the fire. This scene of peace and 
innocence, that pleased so much the heart of Jackson, proves 
that he had no malignant passions rankling in his bosom, and 



292 MY OWN TIMES. 

it also puts to flight the charges of his enemies of his cruelty 
and barbarity which had been so often attributed to him. He 
possessed an extraordinary strength and compass of mind. 
This was his sheet-anchor of safety in all his trials of an event- 
ful life. He also possessed a frankness, integrity, and honesty 
of purpose that were always above suspicion by his most bitter 
enemies. He possessed a firmness of character, a pertinacity 
of purpose, that made him immovable when his judgment was 
convinced. His mind was not organized to possess brute obsti- 
nacy, but firmness was a most powerful element in his character. 
These eminent traits of character, together with a patriotism 
and ardent devotion to his country that never were surpassed, 
made him the most popular man in the nation of his day. 

I was present in Washington City, on the 4th March, 1837, 
when he was retiring from office, and Mr. Van Buren inaugu- 
rated into the office of president. The whole great assemblage 
of people gave the greatest honor and respect to the hero of 
New Orleans, as the masses called him, a..d little or no atten- 
tion was bestowed on the president elect, Mr. Van Buren. 

The fine, wrongfully imposed on Gen. Jackson by the judge 
at New Orleans, in 18 15, was remitted by an act of Congress. 
I voted for it, as I considered the General, by virtue of the Con- 
stitution, has the power to declare martial-law in his camp, or 
over the territory, where the necessity of the case requires it, in 
war. This power is given by the Constitution, and for the time 
being, the civil-law must yield to this power to declare martial- 
law. This act of Congress gave the President much satisfac- 
tion, as it was the approbation of the nation on his conduct. 

The great leader of the Whig party was the distinguished 
and efficient statesman, Henry Clay, of Kentucky. Many great 
and powerful characters were arrayed in the Whig and Demo- 
cratic parties, but Jackson and Clay were the two great leaders 
of their respective parties. Mr. Clay had been so long the 
leader that that important position was yielded to him by a kind 
of common consent. I think he deserved this eminent position. 
His abilities and great knowledge of mankind, together with his 
transcendent talents, entitled him to the leadership of the Vv^hig 
party. He was born in Virginia, but emigrated to Kentucky in 
very early times. He received in his native State a common 
classic education, but not of that finished and accomplished 
character with which some scholars are blessed, but nature gave 
him the strength and powers of mind that supplied all defects 
of education. He possessed not only great strength of intel- 
lect, but a versatility of talent which enabled him to excel in 
almost any avocation he adopted. He stood for a long series 
of years at the head of the bar, as well as a great leader in 
Congress. The great powers of his mind gave him a high 
standing in the temple of fame. Intellect of the brightest and 



MY OWN TIMES. 293 

most efficient order was bestowed on him, and he appeared a 
great beacon-light to his countrymen. His greatest forte, 
among various other eminent quaUties, was the gift of eloquence 
bestowed on him by nature. He was born with this faculty, 
and if he had lived in ancient Greece, he might have been 
fabled with the bees extracting honey from his lips while he 
was in the cradle. His eloquence was beyond description. A 
person must be present and hear and see him in some of his 
extraordinary efforts to realize and appreciate his eloquence. 
His speeches cannot be conveyed, no more than the description 
of them, to paper. The brilliant and illuminated countenance 
of the orator, his eye flashing inspiration, and his tone and ges- 
tures, cannot be conveyed to others who were not present at the 
scene. The argument, the ideas, and the subject-matter of his 
eloquence may be preserved on paper, but the celestial fire, the 
inspiration, and the power and effect of eloquence, escape for- 
ever as the words fall from the lips of the orator. The written 
speeches of an eloquent man never do justice to the orator. 
This is the case with Mr. Clay; his paper-speeches are excel- 
lent, but they do not compare with the fervent, brilliant, and 
captivating speeches as they proceeded, warm and glowing, 
from the heart of the orator himself 

Mr. Clay possessed great firmness of character as well as 
his other conspicuous qualities of mind. He possessed in civil 
pursuits, as Gen. Jackson did in military, a great power to com- 
mand men. Nature seemed to have made him a leader of men. 
On many memorable occasions, he displayed this capacity in 
an eminent degree for the welfare of his country. The Missouri 
Compromise, the adjustment of the tariff in 1833, and the fugi- 
tive-slave-law of Congress, known also as a compromise, all 
received his powerful influence in Congress, or otherwise it is 
probable that these important measures would not have passed 
that body. 

There was nothing palliating or vacillating in the character of 
Henry Clay. He was frank, explicit, and firm in all his move- 
ments, and when he took a stand he was immovable. He was 
an ardent patriot. Every pulsation of his heart beat strong for 
the welfare of his country, and he lived and died an exalted 
statesman, of whom the whole nation "delights to honor." I 
sincerely believe that Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay were 
two of the greatest men the nation ever produced since the 
Revolution. 

Much has been written and spoken for and against party- 
spirit — and the minority party generally complains of parties. 
When the power of self-government is vested in the people, 
they must discuss and examine into measures of the govern- 
ment, or otherwise self-government is a mere farce. Without 
some party excitement, these discussions would be languid and 



294 MY OWN TIMES. 

dull. The use of speech, and the press, are guaranteed to the 
people by the Constitution for this object. Moreover, parties 
must exist to carry out any great measure, or otherwise it will 
not succeed. Acting on great principles without concert is like 
an army moving to battle without organization and without a 
general. Parties also have great influence on one another, and 
on the members, to make them responsible, and thereby to 
cause them to act right. 

The two great parties, the Democratic and Whig, have ex- 
isted in the United States for almost thirty years, and have 
been divided in politics ever since. The fundamental principles 
of the parties seem to be founded principally on the different 
constructions given to the Constitution of the United States. 
One party, the Democrats, give the Constitution a limited and 
rigid construction, while the other party, the Whigs, give that 
instrument a more liberal and extended interpretation. The 
Whigs contend that the Constitution gives the power to Con- 
gress to create banks, and a protective duty on importations, 
independent of raising a revenue, and to improve the country 
by making roads and harbors — improving the navigable rivers 
also — while the Democrats believe that Congress does not pos- 
sess the power, under the Constitution, to carry out the above- 
enumerated measures. 

Under this view of the Constitution, the Whigs create banks, 
impose duties on articles imported for protection, and improve 
the country, harbors, and rivers. The Democrats, generally, as 
a party, are opposed to these measures, both from policy and 
the Constitution. 

These are some of the measures and the policy that have 
heretofore divided the parties in the United States; but at this 
time the rigor of the old parties has considerably subsided, and 
new issues and principles seem to occupy the country to some 
extent. The Democrats still retain their original landmarks of 
party — no banks, few corporations, a hard-money currency, no 
tariff for protection, free-trade, short sessions of Congress, and 
economy in the expenditures of the public money. The issues 
and measures that once divided the Whig and Democratic par- 
ties have been generally decided by the people in favor of the 
Democratic party, which has silenced the Whig party. The 
parties, and the members of the parties, are as honest and 
patriotic on one side as they are on the other — both anxious to 
advance the best interests of the country. 



MY OWN TIMES. 295 



CHAPTER CI. 



Measures in Congress in 1834-5. — The Bank of the United States. — 
The French SpoHations. — The viva-voce Resolution of the Author. 
Northern Boundary of lUinois. — Hon. T. Burges. 

President Jackson, in his first annual message in January, 
1829, brought before the Nation the subject of the United- 
States' Bank, and recommended some substitute for it as a de- 
posit for the public money. This message brought the subject 
of the bank before the people, and the rancor and discussion 
were kept up until the bank ceased to exist — in the year 1836. 
When I entered congress, this was one of the main subjects of 
discussion, and I gave my vote uniformly with the Democratic 
party against the bank. A report from a bank committee was 
made to this Congress, which gave rise to great warmth of feel- 
ings and many bitter discussions. 

The President, although he was extremely popular, was com- 
pelled to use the State banks to aid in the downfall of the 
United-States' Bank. The State banks selected for the deposit 
of the public money were called the "pet banks," in derision. 
This warfare was kept up in congress until the bank ceased to 
exist by its charter, and a new charter was not granted. 

Jackson, in his message of 1833, says: 'Tt being established, 
by unquestionable proof, that the Bank of the United States 
has been converted into a permanent electioneering machine, it 
appears to me that the path of duty which the executive de- 
partment of the government should pursue is not difficult." 

In the forepart of 1833, a great combination of talent and 
influence was formed against Jackson and the Democratic 
party, headed by Clay, Webster, and Calhoun. Under their 
banner were arranged, in the senate, Bibb, Clayton, Chambers, 
Ewing, Freelinghuysen, Leigh, Mangum, Poindexter, Porter, 
and others; and in the house, the Whigs had Adams, Binney, 
Archer, Bell, Burges, Choate, Warren, R. Davis, Everett, John 
Davis, Fillmore, Hardin, McDuffy, Letcher, Peyton, Wise, Vance, 
Wild, and others, to support their party. To sustain the admin- 
istration, in the senate were Benton, Forsythe, Grundy, Hugh 
L. White, Hill, Kane, Wilkins, Wright, King, Rives, Talmadge, 
and others. In the house were Beardsley, Camberling, Frank, 
Thomas, Gillett, McKay, Polk, Vanderpool, Wayne, Clay, of 
Alabama, Hubbard, and others. The discussion lasted three 
months, and the session received the name of the "panic-ses- 
sion." 

Another subject, the French spoliations, occupied much time 
in the senate, and elicited much debate. The Whig party, gen- 



296, My OWN TIMES. 

erally, advocated the payment of these claims — as they desired 
extravagant expenditures of the pubHc money, which would 
require the government to levy a high tariff, and give protec- 
tion to the domestic manufactures. The Democrats, mostly, 
opposed these claims, and all other extravagant expenditures of 
the public money. These claims were not allowed in congress, 
I believe, while the Democratic party had the ascendancy in 
that body. They were considered mostly to be fraudulent and 
spurious. 

The first move I made in congress was on the 14th of Decem- 
ber, 1834, which was not long after I took my seat there. I 
introduced the following resolution into the House: "Resolved, 
That hereafter in all elections made by the House of Repre- 
sentatives for officers, the votes shall be given viva voce, each 
member in his place naming aloud the person for whom he 
votes." 

This resolution was laid over for a few weeks; and when it 
was taken up, it excited considerable discussion and warmth of 
feeling. Many speeches were made on the subject, and the first 
speech I ftiade in congress was on this resolution. The discus- 
sion lasted several days, and the principle contained in my reso- 
lution was adopted by the House, and remains to this day, I 
presume, the rule of the House in elections by that body. 

I still had much of my old habit of diffidence when I entered 
congress, and my first address in that body was offered with 
feelings not pleasant to me. The hall of the house of repre- 
sentatives was so singularly constructed that a person must 
speak very loud, or otherwise he could not be heard by the 
members. 

A new member is always listened to, which made it the worse 
for me. I knew that there were many members in the House 
a long way before me, and also many behind me. I did not 
know how to modulate my voice so as to be heard, and in my 
own opinion made a speech unworthy of the occasion. My 
speech was published in the congressional debates, by Gales & 
Seaton, and also in the Congressional Globe. 

"Mr. Reynolds observed that he had not the least intention 
of producing an excitement when he had the honor to offer this 
proposition for the consideration of the House, and he sincerely 
hoped that none would be now created by it. He was not con- 
sidered at home a violent party-man, and he condemned exces- 
sive party excitement at home or abroad. 

"The gentleman from New York, Mr. Fillmore, urged in this 
discussion Mr. R.'s motives in presenting this resolution. He 
stated them to be to operate on the election of a public printer. 
In this allegation, Mr. R. observed that his friend from New 
York, Mr. Fillmore, was entirely mistaken. He did not enter- 
tain any great feeling or interest about the election of a public 



MY OWN TIMES. 297 

printer, and at the time he introduced his resolution he did not 
even know that there was one to be elected at this session of 
congress. He had nothing to do with the election of a public 
printer, and did not care on whom or what printers the resolu- 
tion would operate. He said he moved it because it was the 
rulfe of action of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, in 
which he lived and had the honor to represent in part, and it 
was adopted when he was a member of the Legislature of that 
State, and that it was the republican rule in every representa- 
tive body. This was the reason he offered it, and hoped it 
would be sustained by the House. Consequently, the burden of 
the song by the gentleman from New York, the election of a 
public printer, was out of the question. It could not, in fact, 
be discussed on the proposition which is now before the House 
— 'sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Let the abstract 
rule be established, let the republican rule be adopted, and then 
let it operate on speakers, preachers, printers, and all other offi- 
cers of the House on whom it ought to operate. Do right in 
all cases, and let the consequences provide for themselves. 

"Mr. R. remarked that as his motives and the election of a 
public printer were disposed of, he would bring to the considera- 
tion of the House part of the 5th section of the 1st article of 
the Constitution of the United States, which he read, as follows: 

"'Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and 
from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as 
may, in their, judgments, require secrecy, and the yeas and 
nays of the members of either House, on any question, shall, 
at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the 
journal.' 

"This is the rule of action in all cases, when it is applicable. 
It is the supreme law of the land. The object of the Constitu- 
tion was to preserve a record of the proceedings of Congress, 
and to give them publicity. This is expressly required on all 
questions in the proceedings of Congress, ana no member of 
this house will contend that an election is no question. It is 
the most important question frequently to members of Congress 
that could be agitated. Mr. R. said he recollected well last 
summer it was an important question to your humble servant. 
He appeared often on the stump, before his constituents, and 
each party candidate and constituent took it for granted that it 
was a question. Is not the election of a public printer a ques- 
tion also.'' There is too much discussion about it in this house 
for it to be no question. Some may say that the rule of action 
under the provisions of the Constitution has been for a long 
time different, and ought not to be changed from this mode of 
balloting. He considered the principle to be just; that when- 
ever we found an error to exist in our proceedings, if those pro- 
ceedings were as old as Jerusalem, we should change them. It 



298 MY OWN TIMES. 

may be that this provision of the Constitution was never dis- 
cussed in relation to this subject, and consequently never acted 
on. If neither an examination nor discussion had been had on 
this part of the Constitution, the prevailing practice of balloting 
should not receive much consideration from its antiquity. 'An 
ancient error cannot make a modern right.' The object and 
meaning of Congress was to give publicity to the proceedings 
in Congress, and as all elections were questions in which the 
people were interested, the conclusion is irresistible under the 
provisions of the Constitution, that the proceedings in all elec- 
tions should be viva voce and published to the world in the 
journals. 

"It cannot be seriously contended, that under the Constitu- 
tion, the yeas and nays ought to be used literally in an election, 
but even this could be done. The candidate proposed for office 
could be voted for in this language. The voter could say yea 
or nay to him, and one-fifth of the members may require it. 
But independent of the express provision of the Constitution, 
and independent of the spirit and meaning of that instrument, 
Mr. R. observed that this provision was of such a character, 
arising from our republican institutions, that it is almost as sus- 
ceptitible of demonstration as any mathematical problem. 

"In this republic, the supreme power rests with the people, 
under such rules and regulations as are prescribed in our con- 
stitution and laws. The people are sovereign, and of right must 
be, while our government continues to exist as a^ republic. No 
tyrant or irresponsible lord or representative can rule over us. 
The people are responsible for their acts to no earthly power, 
while they remain within the pale of the Constitution and the 
law of the land. This principle needs no demonstration to an 
American. It is self-evident to every republican, and I hope I 
address such. Arising out of this principle, the systepi of repre- 
sentation must be adopted. It would be folly to suppose that 
all the people of this widely-extended republic could assemble 
together to provide for their various wants, and to transact their 
public business. If they were present they could do no busi- 
ness, the body would be so unwieldy. Hence, resulted the 
representative form and principle of our gov^ernment. It is the 
great improvement in .governments Which, gives the modern the 
great superiority over the ancient republics. This is the prin- 
ciple above all others in our government, which should be 
preserved pure and sacred. Any intervening circumstance, 
although trivial in itself, that tends to injure the purity of elec- 
tions, or the purity of the representative principle, should be 
condemned as dangerous to our liberties. 

"Judging from the experience of a few years past, Mr. R. said 
he had arrived at the conclusion that the people of the United 
States are determined, at all hazards, to preserve the purity of 



MY OWN TIMES. 299 

elections. This is the greatest evidence of the vigor, strength, 
and long life of our government. 

"Next in the order of events is the responsibility of the repre- 
sentative to his constituents. This is as important, and in fact 
as necessary to be cherished and preserved in its purity, as the 
election -franchise. It is a yoke- fellow; one will not exist in 
vigor when the other is in decay and rottenness. They will 
both rise or fall together, as they both stand on the same politi- 
cal ground. A moment's reflection will satisfy all of the neces- 
sity of the responsibility of the representative to his constitu- 
ents. The very name will show that he is not acting for him- 
self in his official capacity. He acts for others, and to them he 
is is responsible for his official conduct. He should be the mir- 
ror to exhibit the sentiments of the people, and, in fact, the 
miniature-picture of the people. Although I am a great dis- 
tance from my constituents, and perhaps not one of them will 
witness any of my official conduct, yet I consider myself bound 
by the nature of my office, and by my own feelings also, to 
represent in this house the will and sentiment of the first con- 
gressional district of the State of Illinois. Should I disregard 
the republican sentiments on the subject now before the House, 
and vote to hide my vote from their examination, I would be 
taught a lesson through the medium of the ballot-box at home, 
which would be a warning to me on all future occasions. This, 
I think, would be my lot, I judge not for others. This principle 
being established — that the representative is bound to represent 
the sentiments of his constituents truly and honestly, and that 
he is responsible for the same — the question then arises, how is 
this fact to be ascertained.'' 

"The proposition now before the House is nothing more or 
less than to require the best evidence to ascertain the responsi- 
bility of the representative, of which the nature of the case is 
susceptible. This is the common-sense, and I may add the 
common-law rule of evidence in our courts of justice. And 
should it not be extended also to the transactions in the most 
high and august tribunal in the nation.'' The record -evidence 
of each individual's vote, on the journal, is the best calculated 
to exhibit to the people the acts of their representatives. This 
is the mode pointed out by the constitution, and it is found by 
experience to be the best mode to. preserve the history of any 
transaction in courts of justice or in legislative bodies. It is 
much the best for the representative himself There can be no 
perversion of his vote if it is recorded as it falls from his mouth. 
His constituents, and the world if they please, will know how 
he acts. Mr. R. said he was satisfied there was no person in 
this house who would want to hide his vote on any public 
transaction. The people, as they are sovereign and not respon- 
sible to the representive or anybody, have the right to vote as 



300 MY OWN TIMES. 

they please, by ballot or otherwise. The ballot system is the 
best for the people, and the viva-voce for their representatives. 
It is idle to contend that the constitution requires the record of 
proceedings and votes of members on measures to be recorded, 
and not on men in elections. On measures, one-fifth of the 
members can require the vote to be recorded, and on elections 
of men to office the same rule and principle should be applied. 
They are both within the spirit and meaning of the constitu- 
tion." 

The principles contained in my resolution were adopted by 
the House, and remain the rule of action there to the present 
time, so far as I recollect. 

One of the most grand and sublime spectacles occurred 
during this session of congress at the capitol that was ever 
witnessed of that character in the United States. At the pre- 
ceding session of congress information of the death of Gen. 
La Fayette reached the United States, and a resolution was 
passed calling on John Q. Adams to deliver an oration on the 
occasion; and on the 31st day of December, in persuance of 
previous arrangements, an oration on the life and character of 
Gen. La Fayette was delivered by Mr. Adams in the hall of the 
house of representatives. Taking into consideration the sub- 
ject, the orator, and the audience, the scene was grand and 
impressive. The subject — The Life and Character of Gen. 
La Fayette — who so nobly entered the Revolution at a dark 
period, and so bravely served through that most important 
struggle for freedom, was great and interesting. John Q 
Adams, the ex-president of the United States, a distinguished 
member of congress from the old Bay State, whose character as 
a scholar and a literary man was co-extensive with civilization, 
was the orator, and most nobly did he perform his duty. The 
audience was Gen. Jackson, the president of the United States, 
and an immense concourse of people. 

During this session of congress, a great and important ques- 
tion was agitated in relation to the northern boundaries of Ohio, 
Indiana, and Illinois. This subject was before the committees 
and Congress all that session. It will be recollected that ever 
since the formation of the government the boundaries of the 
states and territories have frequently excited much contention, 
and sometimes almost or quite reached to bloodshed. The 
State of Ohio at this time, and the Territory of Michigan were 
in a contest about the northern boundary of Ohio, and not long 
after Missouri and Iowa were engaged in a violent controversy. 

In February, 1835, the bill was before the House to establish 
the Territory of Wisconsin, and it was reported from the Com- 
mittee on Territories to be bounded on the South by the State 
of Illinois. This left the boundary undefined, and I moved an 
amendment: that the southern boundary of the Territory 



MY OWN TIMES. 30I 

should be the Hne in latitude 42 deg. 30 min. north. This 
amendment gave rise to much discussion, but was finally adopt- 
ed into the bill, and became the law. The Hon. John Q. 
Adams took the lead against my amendment, but it was ably 
defended by Mr. Binney, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Ben. Hardin, of 
Kentucky, and Messrs. Vinton, Hamer, and others, of Ohio. 
My next speech in congress was on this subject, which is also 
reported in the volume of debates of that day. The act of 
congress defining the southern boundary of the Territory of 
Wisconsin settled all controversy on this subject. 

When I entered congress the Bank of the United States had 
many warm and influential friends, but the people were dis- 
posed to put it down. This made the bank decline in its moral 
bearing in congress. 

About this time, gold and silver commenced to flow into 
the country and to take the place of bank -paper. The report 
of Roger B. Tanney, the secretary of the treasury, for the year 
1833, showed the currency and the country were enjoying great 
prosperity. It may be stated that six millions of specie had 
been introduced into the United States in one year, and com- 
merce had also increased in a greater proportion. It was con- 
sidered in twenty months eighteen millions of specie had been 
introduced into the Union, which not only relieved the people 
from their mental fears, which the bank had fastened on them, 
but it did more, it relieved them from their material feat s and 
distresses. 

In giving standing and increase to the metallic currency, Col. 
Benton was an active and able champion, and did much to 
restore the constitutional currency to the country, which the 
bank had driven away. Col. Benton, by his efforts to restore 
the metallic currency, has by the Whigs acquired the name of 
"Old Bullion," which is a proud honor to him. 

In the year 1834, the Bank of the United States died a dis- 
consolate death in Philadelphia, and the stockholders resolved 
that the bank should make an assignment of its real and per- 
sonal estate. Thus ended this institution, whose example, I 
presume, will not soon be imitated. 

In this congress was a variety of character, collected from all 
parts of an extended republic. Among many extraordinary 
characters in congress was Hon. Tristram Burgess, of Rhode 
Island, who was dreaded by most of the members in the House. 
This gentleman in 1834, was aged; yet the fire and vigor of 
youth frequently burst out from him like streams of burning 
lava. His years appeared to be upward of sixty, and his age 
and intense study marked his visage with unmistakable impres- 
sions. His person was tall and emaciated, and slightly inclined 
by age. He was blessed with a venerable and dignified deport^ 
ment; but his features wore the severe and caustic appearance 



302 MY OWN TIMES. 

of a store well filled with double distilled invective and sarcasm. 
He was an eminent scholar and orator, whose fiery and scathing 
speeches dashed thunderbolts against his adversaries. He was 
a man of more genius than judgment, and possessed an acute 
and refined sensibility. He was gifted with a fluent and efficient 
elocution, and his invectives, in which he excelled, and used so 
liberally, were of the most refined and chaste character, that 
cut deep and laid dead at his feet his victim, without vulgarity 
or mangled wounds. His speeches were always short, and the 
last sentence generally sounded the death-knell of his opponent. 
He used the most chaste and classic language, as if he desired 
the death of his adversary to be caused by a golden ball. His 
ideas, although they were conveyed in the most pure and chaste 
language, seemed to be steeped in gall and bitterness, and they 
flowed from the orator like flashes of lightning, and often with 
the same effect. 

Whenever this singular man would rise in the House to speak, 
the whole noisy assembly would come to a profound silence and 
witness the scene without a smile. No one liked to see a snow- 
bird devoured by an eagle. When delivering his philippics he 
appeared the personification of the most bitter satire, which 
flowed with a lightning speed from an inexhaustable store- 
house. 

This gentleman possessed a high standing of this character at 
Washington City, and was the only person, it was said in olden 
times, that could equal and surpass the celebrated John Ran- 
dolph, of Roanoke. I never saw any one that could equal Mr, ' 
Burgess in scathing satire and invective. It seemed to me he 
had turned his extraordinary talents and fine education into this 
channel alone, and in it he excelled any one I ever saw. 

I witnessed many of the efforts of Lord Brougham, in the 
British House of Peers, which were eloquent, learned, and satiri- 
cal, but were not so refined or polished as those of the Ameri- 
can orator. Burgess seemed to mix honey with his language, 
but Brougham kneeded his with brickbats and macadamized 
rocks. 

In his habits Mr. Burgess seemed secluded, reserved, and taci- 
turn; nothing of the bold, obtrusive, or assuming was seen in 
him. He was grave, dignified, and rather austere in his deport- 
ment. He did not seem to enjoy social or jovial society, but 
his pleasures seemed to exist in his own breast, and that of a 
melancholy and morose character. He appeared to labor under 
disgust and dislike to mankind, and, whenever an opportunity 
occurred, he raised his flood-gates and torrents flowed that swept 
away all rivalship. What a misfortune that such splendid tal- 
ents and classical education should be turned into such a chan- 
nel. To reverse the scene, and this gentleman would have 
occupied in congress one of the highest places in that body. 



MY OWN TIMES. ,303 



CHAPTER CII. 

Executive Influence. — Proscription for Opinion's Sake. — Executive 
Power of Removals from Office. — The Convention System. — The 
Life of President Jackson Assailed. 

The proper exercise of executive patronage, and the removal 
of incumbents from office, present to the philosophic statesman, 
a question of grave importance, and of extremely difficult solu- 
tion. The nature of our government, and, in fact, all others, is 
such that great power is given to the executive and a check on 
him is an election every four years, public opinion, and the sen- 
ate. 

The great question was presented to Thomas Jefferson, when 
he was president of the United States, more than half a century 
since, to decide if a person should be removed from office for an 
honest difference of opinion. That great statesman and pro- 
found philosopher, gave the subject his utmost attention, and 
most scrutinizing judgment. He settled the principle at last to 
his own satisfaction that "each party, the Federalists and Re- 
publicans, should have a share of the ministerial offices, the con- 
trol of each branch of the service being in the hands of the 
administration." 

On the 23d March, 1801, Mr. Jefferson wrote to Gov. Giles, of 
Virginia, that good men, to whom there is no objection but a 
difference of political opinion, practised on only so far as a pri- 
vate citizen will justify, are not proper subjects of removal, ex- 
cept in the case of attorneys and marshals. Removal from 
office for cause, has been justified by all since the commence- 
ment of the government. 

Mr. Jefferson wrote again to Mr. Lincoln, his attorney-general, 
and says: "Every officer of government may vote at elections 
according to his own conscience, but we should betray the cause 
committed to our charge, were we to permit the influence of 
official patronage to overthrow that cause." 

Mr. Jefferson laid the rule down as above stated, and so did 
Gen. Jackson in the same spirit, but neither of them practised 
precisely in accordance with it. Jefferson did not remove 
enough of officers, and, perhaps, Jackson too many. 

Col. Benton, in his book, states that Mr. Jefferson informed 
him in 1824, that he never did his party justice by not giving 
them the proper share of officers. 

The northern section of the Union, and particularly the State 
of New York, has adopted more the system of proscription for 
political opinion than the South. Gen. Jackson never entirely 
adopted the system, that "the spoils belonged to the victors.' 



// 



304 MY OWN TIMES. 

When this is the system of action, it seems that men's political 
opinions, although honest, are not at all respected. Although 
honest, a mistake of judgment makes a man culpable, and liable 
to be removed from office. On the other hand, it is wrong for 
a party to be weighted down with their enemies. 

The principle has been gaining for years, that the party in 
power has the right, and they generally exercise it, to remove 
their political opponents from office. This system, to a great 
extent, makes politics a mechanical operation, working for* office 
without principle. 

Executive patronage has been a fruitful subject of discussion 
for twenty years past, and has always been assailed by the party 
opposed to the administration. 

In 1826, during the administration of Mr. Adams, attempts 
were made to circumscribe the executive patronage, and much 
intelligent debate was administered without any enactment. 
The revenue and the officers increased so rapidly that the power 
and patronage of the chief magistrate became overwhelming in 
a few years. 

In 1835, a partizan debate was conducted in the senate for 
several weeks, on the subject of executive patronage, and the 
result was, that the President, by virtue of the constitution, had 
the power of removals at his pleasure. The position urged with 
so much talent and efficiency by Clay, Webster, Calhoun, and 
other Whig members, was, that the President be required to 
state his reasons on which the removals were made. 

Mr. Clay proposed an amendment, that the Senate must agree 
in the removals, as well as the appointments, before an officer 
could be ousted from office. To this proposition, and to defend 
the constitution, President Jackson entered a protest, and in it 
discussed the constitutional question with great ability. In this 
discussion were arrayed on both sides extraordinary ability and 
talent, and the most bitter and severe partizan warfare was 
displayed in it. The decision was by the public and congress, 
that the President had the power of removing at pleasure, being 
responsible for his actions to public opinion. Connected with 
this subject is party-discipline and organization. In excited 
party-times party-organization is considered almost as essential 
as the party-principles themselves. 

About the year 1835, at Vandalia, the seat of government of 
the State of Illinois, the subject of party-organization and the 
convention-system came up in a public discussion, and although 
no direct discussion was made, yet the system commenced in 
the north of the State about this time. 

In 1837, Stephen A. Douglas was nominated in the northern 
district of the State for congress, and the same year, James W. 
Stephenson for governor. The system of conventions was 
never very popular in the southern section of the State, but the 



MY OWN TIMES. 305 

emigrants from New York and New England to the northern 
section of the State, brought the custom with them, and made 
it popular in the section of the State where they settled. 

To the system there are objections, and also advantages. It 
affords party-jugglers and leaders great power, and takes that 
power from the people. Where the organization is complete, 
the nomination is an election, and the constitutional election is 
a mere ceremony and idle pageantry. The system makes an 
election with the party which, by party-discipline, stands also 
for the main constitutional election. If the people would attend 
their preparatory elections, and be governed by the same rules 
and regulations, as other elections, then the system would be 
just and proper. This mode was adopted in a late election in 
the State of Missouri. All the forms and regulations of an 
ordinary election was observed with the party to select a party- 
candidate. When a nomination is an election, the principles of 
free government require the same purity and the same regula- 
tions of the election as are observed at the constitutional elec- 
tion. When the people are virtuous and intelligent, and observe 
township and county elections, the convention -system is just 
and proper to unite the party on the great and leading princi- 
ples; but when the people do not attend to the convention elec- 
tions and movements, the power gets into the hands of politi- 
cians, and then the most forward and unprincipled men govern 
the whole election. The people in such cases, are, like chess- 
man on a board, moved by the leaders. 

In favor of conventions it is said, that without them a party 
cannot be concentrated; cannot be united for action, and cannot 
carry out the principles of the party. This is true, and this is 
the reason they are submitted to at all. Another paliation is, 
that frequently the candidates of the same party are about 
equal in merit, and it matters not much to the party or public, 
which of them is selected in the convention. The candidates 
are all slaughtered except one. 

In large districts of country for the election of the governor 
of a State, or the president of the United States, if parties at all 
exist, I cannot see any other system that will answer the pur- 
poses, although so many formidable objections exist against 
conventions. 

At the funeral of the Hon, Mr. Davis, of South Carolina, an 
event took place which excited a deep sensation throughout the 
country. It was an attempt to murder Jackson. In the midst 
of a large assemblage of people, in the rotunda of the capitol, 
on the 30th of January, 1835, a small, lean-looking man at- 
tempted to shoot two pistols at the President, with intent to kill 
him. I was only a few feet before the latter, in the funeral pro- 
cession, going out of the east door of the building, and it seemed 
to me, from the loud reports, that both pistols had been dis- 



306 MY OWN TIMES. 

charged. Upon turning around, I saw a dense crowd near the 
scene of action. The culprit had already been thrown or 
knocked down. Jackson had his cane raised to strike, and was 
forcing his way toward him. Mr. Inge, a very large man, and a 
member of congress from Tennessee, was about to use violence 
to the offender, when many of us cried out "Don't kill him!" 
The feeling of resentment was so great that I feared violence 
would be used toward the prisoner. In a moment, however, the 
passion of the friends of Jackson subsided, and the young man 
was in no immediate danger, although he attempted to murder 
the President, an old, infirm man. Gen. Jackson was walking 
at the time between Secretary Woodbury and Mr. Dickinson^ 
secretary of the navy. The offender was given over to the 
civil officers and confined for examination. The crowd was sa 
thick around the prisoner that I did not see him except on the 
floor of the rotunda, but he was calm and seemed to disregard 
the transaction. Neither of the pistols were fired, but the caps 
exploded with such noise and in such quick succession that I 
supposed both had been discharged. Either of the loads in the 
barrels of the pistols would have caused death. This affiair gave 
rise to much private discussion, and fears were entertained that 
attempts on the life of the President might occur again. The 
examination of the accused, however, explained the whole trans- 
action, and further alarms for the safety of the chief magistrate 
were dispelled. The name of the unfortunate and misguided 
man was Richard Lawrence, an Englishman, and a house- 
painter. Physicians and others examined him and found him 
to be a more fit subject for the lunatic asylum than the gallows. 
Such strange species of insanity occur at rare intervals in the 
world, and this is another proof of the frailty and imperfection 
of mankind. 

Almost a similar case occurred in England, in 1800. An in- 
sane man, named Hadfield, shot at the king in the theatre, and 
was acquitted on the ground of mental derangement. In more 
ancient times, Henry IV., king of France, was killed in the 
street by a maniac. 

To return to Lawrence: On his trial before Judge Cranch he 
seemed to be careless of himself, and did not cross-examine the 
witness and gave no explanation of his conduct. It was quickly 
ascertained that the prisoner was insane, and the examination 
dropped. Lawrence had attended the debates in Congress, and 
had heard so much said in the panic session, that he really sup- 
posed Jackson was the cause of the distress in the country. He 
was poor himself, and out of employment. He imagined the 
country was in a ruined condition, and as he thought Jackson 
was the cause of it, he would remove the evil by killing him. 
He said his family had been deprived of the crown of England, 
and that he would obtain it before he died. The circumstance 



MY OWN TIMES. 30/ 

of both pistols refusing to shoot was so singular that it caused 
many to believe that it was an interposition of Divine Provi- 
dence to save the life of a great man. The same kind of a story- 
had before been circulated — that an Indian chief shot several 
times at Gen. Washington in battle, but the balls would not 
kill him, and that Providence had saved him to perform the 
great and noble deeds he afterward achieved. Enlightened 
public opinion and the intelligence of the age have discarded 
these ideas of providential interpositions, and agree that cer- 
tain immutable laws of nature, established by Divine wisdom, 
govern the universe, and that they never have been, and never 
will be, changed to screen any person or thing from their uni- 
form and universal operation. 



CHAPTER cm. 

The Eulogy of Mr. Adams on Gen. La Fayette. — Sketch of Ex-Presi- 
dent John Q. Adams. 

At the previous session of congress, the death of General 
La Fayette reached the United States, and a resolution passed 
congress respectfully requesting the Hon. John Q. Adams to 
deliver in congress, at the next session, an eulogy on the life 
and character of this great man. 

On the 31st of December, 1834, in pursuance of previous 
arrangements, Mr. Adams delivered an address of great merit 
and ability on the life and character of the deceased hero of the 
Revolution. I was present, and saw the hall and galleries of the 
house of representatives crowded with a distinguished and intel- 
ligent audience. The members of the senate entered the hall 
in a body, and the ministers of foreign powers, the President, 
judges of the supreme court, and many other distinguished 
individuals attended. The occasion; the transactions of the 
Revolution; the hero of many ^ttles. Gen. La Fayette; the 
orator, the Ex-President of the United States and one of the 
most learned men of the age, addressing in the capitol of a 
great republic such an audience, was one of the greatest and 
imposing spectacles that was ever witnessed in the United 
States. 

This assembly, for the high standing of many of the indi- 
viduals composing it, and for the general intelligence and the 
brilliant appearance, surpassed any I ever saw before or after, 
although I have witnessed many both in Europe and America. 
In this assembly were six individuals who had been or were 
afterwards elected to the presidency: John Q. Adams, Andrew 
Jackson, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Millard Fillmore, and 
Franklin Pearce. 



308 MY OWN TIMES. 

During all my services in congress, which was eight sessions, 
the Hon. John Quincy Adams was a member of the house, and 
his character and services deserve a passing notice. 

John Quincy Adams, a distinguished member from the State 
of Massachusetts, although he possessed great and eminent 
talents, was not modelled exactly on the same system as any 
other member. His person was of the medium size, but thick, 
compact, and robust. He stood and walked erect, although he 
had passed his eightieth year, and seemed to possess his mental 
faculties unimpaired. He was not possessed of any grace or 
beauty of person, but displayed a kind of formal dignity, rather 
of an austere and unsocial character. His person seemed to 
bid defiance to time and hardship, and was formed for utility 
and severe mental labor. His head was bald and remarkably 
large; and if phrenology were to speak, he possessed, what his 
actions through life demonstrated, an extraordinary development 
of mental power, together with no small degree of propelling 
force. The great and leading traits of his character were a 
sober, solid judgment, integrity, and patriotism. On these great 
pillars, he reared a temple of fame that will descend to posterity 
with glory and honor to him and the nation. He was what the 
common phrase calls "a passionate man," but would generally 
restrain this passion, except on fit occasions, as he conceived, 
then it would flow in deep and strong currents that generally 
overwhelmed his adversary. He possessed ambition of a 
boundless character, and it was often a great effort of his judg- 
ment to subdue it. His firmness bordered on obstinacy, and 
reason and argument were often applied to him without success, 
when his passions were enlisted in the case. 

With these great and distinguishing traits of character, John 
Q. Adams was a worthy descendant of an illustrious ancestry, 
and most nobly has he sustained the glory and honor of his 
pilgrim forefathers. He always appeared to me to be a true 
representative of the daring and intrepid pilgrims of the May- 
Flower, who encountered eveifr danger and hardship for liberty. 
He stood eminently at the head of intelligence and knowledge; 
distinguishing, as many do, knowledge from wisdom. His op- 
portunities were good, and he embraced them with ardor and 
enthusiasm. His illustrious father, John Adams, was one of the 
master-spirits of the age in which he lived, and was to his son 
always an open seminary of learning. 

John Q. Adams attended the best seminaries of learning in 
both Europe and America, and was one of the most profound 
scholars and most learned men of the age. He failed most 
signally in his attempt to court the muses. His poetry is 
below mediocrity, but his speeches were lucid, argumentative, 
and grammatical, either when spoken or Avritten. They smelt 
of the midnight lamp more than of genius, but he labored 



MY OWN TIMES. 309 

them into strong and irresistible arguments by the force of his 
safe and sound judgment, He was a Whig partizan, only as 
he considered it right to advance the best interests of the coun- 
try. On all great and national subjects, he rose above party 
with a true American heart, and sustained his country with a 
fervor and a passion of patriotism that no Revolutionary father 
ever excelled. 

Mr. Randolph, of Roanoke, said many truths of Mr. Adams 
in an electioneering speech of 1828. Mr. Randolph says: 
"The talent which enables a man to write a book, or to make 
a speech, has no more relation to the leading of an army, or a 
senate, than it has to the dressing of a dinner. The talent 
which fits a man for either office is a talent for the management 
of men; a mere dialectician never had and never will have it; 
each requires the same degree of courage, though of different 
^inds." 

Randolph further said: "Who believes that Washington 
could write as good a book or report as Jefferson, or make as 
able a speech as Hamilton.'' Who is there that believes that 
Cromwell would have made as good a judge as Lord Hale.-* 
No, sir! these learned and accomplished men find their proper 
places under those who are fitted to command, and to command 
them amongst the rest." 

Randolph said it was the easiest matter for a great man to 
write a book. The next difficult thing was to make a speech, 
but the most difficult matter was to act right. Adams could 
write a good book; Clay could make a splendid speech; but 
Jackson could act right. The principle here laid down, and also 
the application, is correct. 

Adams' great age, extraordinary life, and high positions in 
the public service, gave him a great standing in congress, and 
particularly on the subject of international law and our foreign 
relations. He was strongly impressed with the great principles 
of religion, and was a member of the Unitarian Church at the 
time of his death. In November, 1846, he experienced the 
first shock of paralysis, and on the 21st of February, 1848, at 
the moment he was about to address the speaker, another 
stroke of the fatal disease visited him. He lingered to the 23d, 
and expired in the speaker's room, in the capitol of the United 
States. The last words he spoke were: "This is the end of 
earth: I am content." Thus closed the career of one of the 
most learned and the most distinguished characters that en- 
lightened the nation since the Revolution. 



3IO MY OWN TIMES. 

CHAPTER CIV. 
The Military Academy at West Point. 

During all the time that I was in congress, the Military 
Academy at West Point, in the State of New York, received 
much discussion in both branches of congress. The institution 
was unpopular with the people of Illinois, and on all proper 
occasions in the State, I gave it my unqualified condemnation, 
and in congress I carried out these views. President Jackson, 
Col. Richard M. Johnson, and many other distinguished charac- 
ters were friendly to it; and the latter informed me often, that 
he saw in the war of 1812, many brave and worthy men de- 
stroyed for the want of the proper military science in the army. 
The extraordinary success of our army in Mexico, showing the 
importance of military science, has caused me to think more 
favorably of the Military Academy at West Point, and has 
brought me to the conclusion that military science must exist in 
the army. Without the proper and necessary science in an 
army, it is a mob and rabble, that is neither efficient nor hon- 
orable. 

The act of Congress passed in Washington's administration, 
in 1794, provides the proper remedy. The cadets, under this 
act, were selected, at the discretion of the President, from the 
privates in the army, and instructed in the higher branches of 
artillery and engineering, and nothing more. At that day all 
the drills and training were performed in the open field. This 
system would encourage good young men to join the army, and 
thereby the material would be improved. The instruction at 
the West-Point Academy was confined to the science of artil- 
lery and engineering, and nothing more. 

The act of Congress of 1812, and the construction given to 
it, has remodelled and changed the institution entirely. At 
present, the cadets are never in the ranks, and are at no time 
privates. They are not like the privates under the act of 1794, 
promoted by merit, but are placed in this academy by the 
members of congress without any knowledge of their military 
merit, or inclination for a military life. 

In the army, when it numbered 6000 strong, in one year 
1450 deserted. Something is radically wrong when such large 
numbers desert. It is stated, that there is not a government in 
Europe that pay so little regard to the rights of the people, in 
this respect, as is practised in this institution. Officers in all 
governrnents of Europe can rise from the ranks, and the mother 
country, old England, has given to the world an illustrious 
example. 



MY OWN TIMES. 3II 

In Great Britain, a return shows that from 1830 to 1847, the 
numbers of citizens was 1266 who received military offices. 
446 were appointed from the ranks, and 473 from the Royal 
College, which answers nearly to the Military Academy at West 
Point. These appointments are exclusive of those purchasing 
commissions, which swells the list against the military schools. 

In France, twenty-three marshals rose from the ranks. Ney, 
Massena, Oudinot, Murat, Soult, and Bernadot were among the 
number. Most of the statistics in the above sketch I received 
from Col. Benton, which are presented in his able chapter on 
the Military Academy at West Point. I made many speeches 
in congress on this subject, to correct the evils existing in both 
the system and the practice of that institution. Many of my 
addresses were published, which will show my sentiments on 
the subject. 

• Within "MY OWN TIMES," the State of Texas commenced its 
first American settlement. Its progress, its mdependence as a 
government, and its annexation to the United States as an 
independent state of the confederacy: all these extraordinary 
movements — the settlement of the country under the Mexican 
government; its independence and its annexation to the United 
States, occurred in a little more than thirty years. 

In 1836, I voted in congress for the resolution declaring 
Texas an independent government, and in 1845, it was admit- 
ted into the Union as an independent State. In no country on 
earth is or has been such extraordinary progress as is witnessed 
in the United States. 

Moses Austin, the founder of Texas, was a native of Con- 
necticut, and emigrated first to Virginia, and then to Upper 
Louisiana in the year 1797. He settled in the mining district, 
under the Spanish government, and worked the lead mines west 
of St. Genevieve, Missonri. It was in this district where his 
son, Stephen F. Austin, was born. The father, having obtained 
from the Mexican government a large grant of land in the 
present State of Texas, emigrated there in 1823. This colony 
soon increased from the United States by those who were gen- 
erally courageous, intelligent, and energetic citizens. 

Texas contains fine soil and climate, which induced emigra- 
tion to it from all parts of the Union, and also from Europe. 
The country was a state in the Mexican republic, and when 
the government of Mexico was changed in old Mexico from a 
republic to a despotic government, Texas refused to submit to 
the tyranny of usurpation, and took up arms to defend her 
rights and liberty. After many engagements, and some carnage 
of the Americans, the memorable battle of San Jacinto was 
fought in May, 1836, wherein seven hundred and fifty Ameri- 
cans killed six hundred Mexicans, and took the same number 
prisoners, with the President, Gen. Santa Anna himself The 



312 MY OWN TIMES. 

Americans had oniy six men killed and twenty wounded. This 
victory was achieved under the command of Gen. Sam. Hous- 
ton, the young man who was at the seminary of the Rev. Isaac 
Anderson, in East Tennessee, in the year 1810. 

Sometime after the battle of San Jacinto, in 1836, a resolu- 
tion passed both houses of congress, recognizing the indepen- 
dence of Texas. I voted for the resolution, and have often 
witnessed the flag of Texas, the "Lone Star," as evidence of 
her independence. 

Not ten years thereafter, I got up a mass-meeting — a public 
gathering of the people — held in the court-house in Belleville, 
in the fall of the year 1843, and passed resolutions urging on 
Congress the annexation of Texas. I believe this was the first 
meeting and public expression of opinion for the annexation of 
Texas that was held in the United States. 

The presidential election embraced the subject of the annex- 
ation of Texas considerably in the West, and James K. Polk 
was mainly supported on this question in many sections of the 
country. During his administration, and in "MY OWN TIMES," 
Texas was admitted into the Union as a free and independent 
State. 



CHAPTER CV. 

Further Proceedings in Congress. — The Admission of the Territories 
of Michigan and Arkansas into the Union as States. — A Torpedo in 
the Potomac River. — A Visit to Washington's Tomb. — The Key of 
the Bastile of France. — A Tide-Water Joke on the Author. — The 
Author in Congress Seven Years and Eight Sessions. — The General 
Duties the Author Performed in Congress. 

Toward the close of the session of congress in the year 
1836, both the constitutions of Michigan and Arkansas were 
presented to congress, and solicited admission into the Union 
as States. 

The President presented the subject to the senate, and 
Thomas H. Benton took charge of the State of Michigan, and 
James Buchanan that of Arkansas. It seemed that many of 
the Northern members, and some of the Southern also, desired 
to pass both States into the Union at the same time. One was 
a free-state and the other a slave-state. The subject of slavery,, 
and the common party-spirit of Whiggery and Democracy, 
seemed to be mixed up together in this transaction. It was 
considered a Jackson, or democratic measure, and many Whigs 
and Democrats took sides on the subject, independent of the 
question of slavery. I considered it right to admit both States 
into the Union, and I acted with the administration party 



MY OWN TIMES. 313 

throughout all the contest. The bills admitting both States 
into the Union passed the senate by a vote of only six in oppo- 
sition. 

Both bills came to the house together, and were made the 
special order of the day for the 8th of June; and congress was 
to adjourn on the 4th of July thereafter. The Whigs, it seemed 
to me, labored to defeat the admission of both States into the 
Union on account of their bitter opposition to the administra- 
tion of Gen. Jackson, while other members opposed both for 
the slavery contained in the constitution of Arkansas. Some 
opposed both, because the people of the two Territories formed 
their constitutions without a previous act of congress. 

Both bills were referred to the committee of the whole, and 
were discussed for the space of twenty-five hours, without the 
committee rising, or taking much or any refreshments whatever. 
On the 9th of June, the house went into committee of the 
whole at 10 o'clock, and did not rise until eleven the next day. 
During this session, many times during the night there was no. 
quorum, and a call of the house was ordered. I well recollect 
the officers bringing in members, and of hearing their witty ex- 
cuses. 

On the morning of the tenth of June, the Hon. Mr. McKen- 
non, of Pennsylvania, when we were all tired and exhausted, 
urged Mr. Wise to cease his opposition, and permit the bills to 
be reported to the house. This was agreed to, and the house 
at last passed both bills with large majorities. The States of 
Michigan and Arkansas were both admitted into the Union in 
1836. 

In 1842, I saw in the Potomac River, near the city of Wash- 
ington, a schooner blown to atoms by a torpedo. An immense 
number of citizens were present witnessing the exhibition. The 
members of both houses of congress, the President, his cabinet, 
foreign ministers, and a great many strangers from various parts 
of the Union. The machine, the galvanic battery, was erected 
five miles down the river, on the west side, near the city of 
Alexandria. A quantity of powder was placed under the 
schooner, in the water, and a wire was extended from the bat- 
tery to the powder under the vessel. The powder was ignited 
by the battery, through the wire, and exploded. The operators 
at the battery told the time that they would ignite the powder, 
and they did so at the precise time they had designated. 

I was not far off from the vessel, and I saw the fire, smoke, 
water, and spray, all rise at the same time, and envelope the 
schooner in the fire, water, and smoke. A considerable surface 
of water with the vessel was blown up, with the force and speed 
of lightning, high in the air, and fragments of the vessel fell 
down on the water for some time. The schooner was blown to 
atoms, and the water of the river violently agitated. I thought 



314 MY OWN TIMES. 

then, and still think, ithat no vessel of an enemy, in time of 
war, will ever enter our harbors, as this torpedo would have 
destroyed the largest ship that ever sailed the ocean. The 
scientific engineers who performed this great feat were from 
Connecticut, as I understood. 

In May, 1840, a party, mostly members of congress and their 
families, visited the residence of Gen. Washington, on the Poto- 
mac. I made one of the party, and spent most of the day in 
examining the house and premises of this extraordinary man. 
His residence is on the high bluff of the Potomac, seven or 
eight miles below the city of Alexandria, in Virginia. The 
mansion is a frame building, two stories high, and at each end 
are small houses added to it, for offices, I presume. The yard 
before the front door was large, and surrounded with houses for 
servants. The venerable building itself displayed nothing like 
splendor or magnificence; but comfort, and a neat, plain resi- 
dence, appeared to be consulted in the construction and man- 
agement of the house and premises. 

The house of the general was erected on a high bluff of the 
Potomac, two or three hundred feet above the water, and en- 
joyed a beautiful prospect of the country and the river. The 
old vault that first contained the remains of Washington was 
abandoned, and the body placed in another of finer architecture. 
All spectators gaze with admiration and profound respect and 
gratitude on the sepulchre of this great and good man. Many 
of the visitors obtained pieces of the wood of the old coffin 
containing the body, and preserve them as interesting relics. 

The key of the Bastile in France, when the people of that 
country destroyed that prison, was given to Gen. Washington 
for safe keeping. The key was placed in a glass case, and hung 
up at the door of the general's mansion, so that all could see it. 
The sight of it forced on my mind the horrid imprisonments in 
the Bastile by the monarchs of France, and the honor given the 
United States of being the fit repository of freedom and such 
an interesting relic. 

My friends enjoyed a good joke on me in relation to the tide- 
water. I was walking with a friend of mine on Pennsylvania 
Avenue, in the city of Washington, and remarked that a rain 
must have fallen toward the head of a small stream that runs 
through Washington, as the water had been up in the creek a 
foot or two, and had fallen. My friend laughed heartily, and 
informed me that it was the tide. I did not know that I had 
reached tide-water. 

I was in congress seven years, and exerted during that time 
every energy I possessed, both of mind and body, to advance 
the interests of the people. To perform the duties of a mem- 
ber of congress is exceedingly laborious, and requires much 
hard work. I had in a book the names of all the principal. 



MY OWN TIMES. 315 

influential, and reading men in my district, no matter whether 
they were my political friends or not, and I flooded them and 
the district with public documents and speeches. 

I always sustained the franking privilege of members, for the 
benefit of the public. It is one of the most important duties of 
a member of congress to distribute among the people proper 
public documents and speeches. 

The business in the departments at Washington City of 
claims, and other matters for the people, demand also of a mem- 
ber much time and labor, and it received it from me. I was 
considered, after Col. Richard M, Johnson, of Kentucky, among 
the most working members in the departments. I was in the 
Black-Hawk war, and many claims arising out of that war were 
sent to me to have adjusted in Washington. Another consider- 
able labor was so many acquaintances of members to be pre- 
sented to the President, particularly when Gen. Jackson was in 
office. This duty occupied much time of a member. 

The necessary and official correspondence a member has with 
his constituents gives him much labor, and is very important to 
both parties. I have often received fifteen or twenty letters at 
a time, though not daily, which were answered in due time. 

These, and many other labors, are independent of the duties 
in the halls of legislation. A member must be well posted up 
on the political news of the times, and in fact all other floating 
information, or otherwise he will make an inefficient represen- 
tative. General political knowledge of the ancient parties, and 
in fact a general knowledge of political science, and the forms 
of ancient and modern governments, a member must possess, or 
otherwise he will make a ridiculous exhibition in congress, par- 
ticularly if he attempts to address the house. In such a large 
body there is much talent, and if a person does not keep even 
with the masses of members, in talents and information, he had 
better have remained at home. To keep up with the times, a 
member must read incessantly, Reading the papers I performed 
frequently when a long, prosy speech was being delivered in 
congress. 

I was, during eight sessions of congress — one being a called 
session, in 1840 — absent from congress scarcely one day, either 
by sickness or otherwise; and the journals will also show that I 
very rarely missed giving a vote during all that long period of 
service. The congress generally met at twelve o'clock, and be- 
fore that hour the office business was performed in the depart- 
ments. Much business was also performed by members in com- 
mittees. I was for some time the chairman of the committee 
on the public lands, which required much attention to business, 
and much labor, as all the Western States had a great interest 
in this subject. I was also at times on the committee of roads 
and canals, which required much labor. Most of the business 



3l6 MY OWN TIMES. 

of legislation in congress is performed by the committees, which 
gives them much labor and responsibility. It is also the duty 
of a member of congress to make many official visits on certain 
public occasions, and to attend official dinners. He must be on 
friendly and honorable terms with the public officers and Presi- 
dent, or otherwise he cannot transact his official business with 
justice to his constituents. 

Many subjects had my particular attention and energies, be 
they great or small, in congress. One subject, the establishment 
of marine hospitals on the Western waters, I labored on for 
years, and made and published many speeches on the occasion. 
My district being on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, was greatly 
interested in the subject. I sincerely believe my efforts had 
some effect in the accomplishment of this measure. I showed 
the amount of commerce on the Western waters and the num- 
ber of men employed in it. I asserted in congress, and the facts 
warranted it, that more wealth and commerce was floated on the 
Mississippi in 1840 than on any other river on the globe. The 
public lands also received much of my services in congress. I 
made on this subject many speeches, which were published. At 
"MY times" in congress, the public lands were hoarded up more 
than at present. We procured the passage of the pre-emption 
law, which gives a person the pre-emption of one year on the 
public lands. 

Another subject I labored for considerably, and it failed in 
congress, about "MY TIMES," and that was the "National Road." 
The Democratic party did not foster it, as it contravened their 
fundamental principles. I advocated all the time the location 
of the road to Alton, in Illinois, according to the instructions of 
the general assembly of the State. The establishment of an 
armory on the Western waters was also a favorite measure with 
me in congress. I urged on congress, by many addresses, the 
subject, and I believe my efforts did the measure some service. 
An armory was established at Memphis, Tennessee. 

During all "MY OWN TIMES" in congress, I acted rigidly with 
the Democratic party, and no complaint was ever made at home 
or abroad, by friend or foe, on account of my votes on party 
politics, so far as I recollect. A member of congress has very 
little standing in that body who vascillates from one side of 
* party politics to the other in excited party times. 

The preceding few chapters in this work contain only a skele- 
ton of "MY times" in congress. A full history would require a 
larger volume than the present; but I presume enough is pre- 
sented in this sketch to show the general outlines of the pro- 
ceedings in congress, and my humble services in that body. 

I used economy in my expenses in Washington City, or other- 
wise I would have been, like at least half the members of con- 
gress, in debt at the end of each session. The expenses at the 



MY OWN TIMES. 317 

seat of government of the United States for living are heavy. 
The money expended on the printing of speeches and docu- 
ments is also heavy. Economy at Washington City is more 
necessary, perhaps, than at any other city in the Union. 



CHAPTER CVI. ^ 

The Author Marries in the District of Columbia. — Out of Congress 
Two Years. — The Lovejoy Riot at Alton. 

Having completed "MY OWN times" in congress, I return to 
the passing events in the State of Illinois, which are worthy of 
history. 

In connection with my services in congress, it is proper to 
state that a JiiaUis of two years occurred between the 3d of 
March, 1837, and the 3d of March, 1839, that I was not a mem- 
ber. I remained after the adjournment of congress on the 4th 
in the city of Washington until the nth of July, 1836, and did 
not return to my district to canvass it before the election in 
August in the same year, and my talented and popular oppo- 
nent, Mr. Snyder, was elected. 

I became acquainted with a lady in the District of Columbia, 
and we, "on consideration of mutual love and affection," mar- 
ried. The same ties bind us in matrimonial happiness to the 
present time. Posterity will have an unsettled account against 
us for having added nothing, AS YET, to the great reservoir of 
the human family. 

The riot at Alton, wherein Lovejoy lost his life, and another 
person was killed, is the most unaccountable transaction that has 
occurred in Illinois for many years. This tragedy was enacted 
in one of the most enlightened and intelligent communities in 
the State, where peaceable and law-loving population had the 
ascendancy, and where the Christian principles and the various 
Christian churches seemed to be triumphant, and yet blood was 
wantonly shed, after weeks and months reflection on the subject 
before the act was consummated. This transaction proves that 
man is the most mysterious and unfathomable being of God's 
creation, and, at times, he enters into vagaries that establishes 
the fact that reason and reflection are for the moment cast aside 
and the wild passions of his nature run riot for a season. 

The following narrative of the Lovejoy riot is collected from 
various sources, which I presume may be relied on as correct. 

The Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was a native of New England, 
and was a man of talent, extraordinary energy, and pertinacity. 
He was a preacher of the gospel, and was a member of the 
Presbyterian church. 

In the year 1837, he came to Alton from St. Louis, Missouri, 



3l8 MY OWN TIMES. 

and consulted with his friends and the people generally if it 
would be advisable for him to start an abolition paper in Alton. 
It seems that his visit to Alton, and his consultation with the 
people on the above subject, put the whole community in a state 
of an intense excitement and feeling. This violence of feeling 
was increased by the rumors, which were then believed, and not 
contradicted to this hour, that he had previously attempted to 
establigk his press at Cincinnati, Louisville, and St. Louis, but at 
none of these places received any encouragement, and at St. 
Louis, was repulsed with violence or threats of violence. These 
statements inflamed the people the more, as it was considered 
disrespectful to Alton to permit his press to be established there, 
when it could not be established in these other cities. A few 
men only encouraged Lovejoy to establish his press in Alton, 
but the masses of the people, among whom were the most intel- 
ligent and worthy citizens of the place, desired him in friendship 
not to attempt to set up an abolition paper in Alton. A large 
mass- meeting of the people was called; all were invited to 
attend, and many of the friends of Lovejoy did attend. 

The convention of the people passed resolutions remonstrat- 
ing and beseeching Lovejoy not to establish an abolition press 
in Alton. These resolutions breathed the spirit of firmness, yet 
mild and persuasive, stating that the consequences of his perse- 
vering in his enterprise would be serious and perhaps disastrous 
to him. A committee was appointed by the meeting to expos- 
tulate with Lovejoy, and dissuade him from his undertaking. 
On this committee were some of the friends of Lovejoy and 
his cause. The committee urged on him to desist from his pur- 
pose more for fear of the consequences to himself than for fear 
of the press and the cause. This large public meeting knew 
that the consequences would be fatal to him if he persisted, and 
cautioned him and his friends accordingly. 

He agreed with the committee not to establish an abolition 
paper in Alton, but a religious one. The committee reported 
this agreement to the meeting, which was satisfactory, and many 
of the meeting supported his religious journal. 

Under this arrangement, he started a weekly paper, and for 
some weeks continued it as a religious journal. But in a short 
time, disregarding his arrangement, he commenced to publish 
abolition doctrines. This course of the paper was evidently 
against the agreement, and dissatisfied the community. The 
people still considered the committee organized to act, and re- 
quested them to call on Lovejoy, as they had before. They 
had an interview with him, and found his views on the subject 
considerably changed. He had, after the first agreement for 
him to publish a religious paper, published the whole proceed- 
ings, and his agreement, in his journal. He conversed with 
the committee in a friendly manner, but was emphatic and 



MY OWN TIMES. 319 

decisive. He said he respected the committee as respectable 
and worthy citizens, representing the people of Alton, but he 
did not recognize them or their views in relation to the course 
of action he would pursue with his paper. His answer was also 
published in his journal and the proceedings of the committee. 

His paper, The Alton Observer, after this interview with 
the committee, assumed still more ultra views of abolition, and 
continued so for one or two months. These bitter and scathing 
publications became worse and more offensive every day to the 
citizens of Alton, and the people commenced again to be agi- 
tated and excited. After much agitation in the public mind 
and discussion, the citizens became furious, enraged, and almost 
frantic. 

At night, the citizens of Alton, in large numbers, without dis- 
tinction, entered the office of Lovejoy, although he was not 
present, or knew it, and broke the press and cast it into the 
Piasa Creek. The type was scattered about in everydirection. 
This movement of the masses created great excitement and agi- 
tation in Alton. Lovejoy and his friends came to the office in 
the morning and saw what was done. He and his friends, in a 
cool, calm manner, decided to purchase another press and pub- 
lish another abolition paper in Alton. It was several weeks, or 
perhaps months before the new press could be procured, but it 
did arrive, and was lodged in Col. Bodkin's warehouse. As soon 
as the citizens of the city knew the fact that the press was in 
the store of Bodkin, the next night they assembled en masse and 
destroyed the second press, type, and apparatus. They cast the 
whole concern into the river. Next morning another excitement 
raged still more bitter and alarming. It seemed now to assume 
the spirit of frenzy, and blood must be shed. 

Not more than fifty men were willing to sustain Lovejoy in 
the crisis the affairs were then assuming, and to risk their lives 
with him in the crusade. 

Next morning, Lovejoy was heard to say "I will start another 
paper, no matter what the consequence may be." After the 
lapse of two or three weeks, the third press reached Alton for 
Lovejoy, and it was lodged in Garay's store. The citizens 
assembled and destroyed it also. 

All this time the excitement was still continued and increased 
to a perfect tornado. After sometime spent in procuring the 
fourth press, it and apparatus reached Alton. The citizens had 
organized and had a watch out at the wharf to give notice when 
the fourth press would arrive. It came on the Missouri Fulton, 
about 4 o'clock in the morning. The people had retired to bed, 
and the watch could not rally enough to oppose the landing of 
the interdicted article. It was landed and lodged in the fourth 
story of Godfrey & Gilman's warehouse. A furious excitement 
prevailed all the next day in Alton, and both parties were organ- 



320 MY OWN TIMES. 

ized, one to destroy the press and the other to defend it. The 
Lovejoy party organized a company, and elected Mr. Harnard 
captain. The company contained about fifty members, and 
were well armed. 

The citizens were consulting all day, and had decided on no 
particular system, but the press was to be destroyed at all 
events. The Lovejoy party at dark assembled, well armed, in 
the house where the press was lodged to defend it. 

The citizens in great force assembled soon after dark before 
the door of the house where the press was, and demanded ad- 
mittance or they would break open the door. About this time, 
some one of the Lovejoy party, in an upper story, raised a win- 
dow and shot down in the crowd. This shot killed a man. The 
corpse was brought into Dr. Hart's office and exposed to public 
view. The sight of the dead body still more inflamed the 
masses, but they acted with calmness and reflection. They 
restrained action for an hour, considering in what manner they 
would destroy the building and the press. It was decided that 
both the building and press should be destroyed; but still the 
citizens authorized Henry West, and some one or two others, to 
go to Lovejoy and expostulate with him, and to inform him and 
friends of the imminent danger they were in. Lovejoy answered 
"they would defend the press with their lives if necessary. On 
return of this answer, a serious and desperate resolution was 
taken by the citizens to destroy the press and house at all 
events. The warehouse was a large stone building, four stories 
high, and on one side it was discovered it had no windows. At 
this side long ladders were procured and hoisted to the top of 
the house. Men went up the ladders with combustibles and set 
the roof on fire. The fire company, under the command of Cap- 
tain Pitts, was called to extinguish the flames, but the force and 
rage of the people prevented the company from approaching 
the building. The mayor of the city also, did all in his power 
to restrain the fury of the population. About this time, when 
the house was on fire, Lovejoy and some two or three others, 
well armed, came out of the building, as it was supposed, to 
shoot those setting the house on fire, and walked in the dark 
round the house toward the ladder. Some one or more were 
concealed in a pile of lumber near Lovejoy and shot him. As 
soon as he was shot he exclaimed "I am a dead man." He was 
carried up stairs in the building and he expired in a few min- 
utes. The rest of the Lovejoy party escaped by the consent of 
the people in the dark out of the building, and thus ended this 
unfortunate and outrageous transaction. 

Lovejoy was killed on the 17th of November, 1837, and 
almost all the previous summer Alton was occupied by this ex- 
citement. The mayor of the city exerted all his power in vain 
to preserve peace, and the preachers in the pulpit and all order- 



MY OWN TIMES. 321 

ly citizens, labored all the time to suppress this tragedy, but it 
was all in vain. 

The fire company extinguished the flames on the house, and 
all quieted down into darkness and oblivion. The Grand Jury 
of Madison County found bills of indictment in some cases aris- 
ing^ out of this riot, but no one was punished. It was judged 
advisable by all parties, the sooner the better to forget and for- 
give all concerned in this unjustifiable transaction. Thus ended 
one of the most singular tragedies that has perhaps occurred 
anywhere. The citizens of Alton at the beginning presumed an 
abolition journal in their place, so near the State of Missouri, a 
slave State, would do the city of Alton a serious injury, and 
prevent the growth of the place. This was, as far as I under- 
stand, one reason the citizens urged against the establishment 
of such a paper at Alton. When the people waxed warm, and 
became excited, it was a matter of honor not to abandon the 
ground they assumed. The Lovejoy party was equally as un- 
yieldy, and hence the unfortunate bloodshed. 



CHAPTER CVII. 

The First Railroad Constructed West of the Mountains by the Author 
and Others. — Other Railroads in Illinois. 

Being left out of congress in 1836, I was overflowing with 
energy and vigor, so that I could not remain quiet and idle. I 
had a large tract of land located on the Mississippi Blufl", six 
miles from St. Louis, which contained in it fnexhaustible 
quantities of bituminous coal. This coal mine was the nearest 
St. Louis, Missouri, of any other on this side of the Mississippi 
River. I had also most of the land on which a railroad might 
be constructed to convey the coal onto the market. Under 
these circumstances, a few others with myself decided to 
construct a railroad from the bluff" to the Mississippi opposite 
St. Louis. This road was about six miles long, and although 
short, the engineer made an erroneous calculation of the cost — 
making the estimate less than one-half the real cost. 

We all embarked in this enterprise when we knew very little 
about the construction of a railroad or the capacity of the 
market for the use of coal. In fact, the company had nothing 
but an excessive amount of energy and vigor, together with 
some wealth and some standing, with which to construct the 
road, and we accomplished it. 

We were forced to bridge a lake over 2000 feet across, and 
we drove down piles more than eighty feet into the mud and 
water of the lake, on which to erect the bridge. We put three 
piles on the top of one another, and fastened the ends together. 



322 MY OWN TIMES. 

We battered the piles down with a metal battering-ram of 1400 
pounds' weight. 

The members of the company themselves hired the hands — 
at times one hundred a-day — and overlooked the work. They 
built shanties to board the hands in, and procured provisions 
and lodging for them. They graded the track, cut and hauled 
the timber, piled the lake, built the road, and had it running in 
one season of the year, in 1837. This work was performed in 
opposition to much clamor against it that it would not succeed, 
and that we would break at it, and such predictions. We had 
not the means or the time in one year to procure the iron for 
the rails or a locomotive, so we were compelled to work the 
road without iron and with horse-power. We did so, and de- 
livered much coal at the river. It is strange how it was possi- 
ble we could construct this road under these circumstances. It 
was the first railroad built in the Mississippi Valley, and such 
an improvement was new to every one as well as our company. 

It was in the year 1826 that the first railroad was built in the 
United States, connecting Albany with Schenectady, in the 
State of New York; and the next was built in South Carolina. 
Railroads were not well understood at that day in any part of 
America. , 

In the spring of 1838, I offered for congress, and we consid- 
ered it best to sell out, as I could not attend to the road with 
the rest of the company. We sold and took no mortgage on. 
the property. We lost by the sale twelve or thirteen thousand 
dollars. We sold for less by twenty thousand dollars than it 
cost us. I lost in the enterprise fifteen or eighteen thousand 
dollars. This amount was then considered as much as thirty 
thousand at this day. 

The members of the company, and I one of them, lay out 
on the premises of the road day and night while the work was 
progressing; an(J I assert that it was the greatest work or 
enterprise ever performed in Illinois under the circumstances. 
But it well-nigh broke us all. 

As heretofore stated, the railroad connecting Springfield with 
the Illinois River was the next road made in the State. It 
never succeeded to any great extent, and finally it was sold, as 
recorded above. For many years, the railroad system remained 
not entirely dead in Illinois, "but sleepeth." The next in order 
of time, is the road known as the Galena and Chicago Union 
Railroad. This improvement lingered for many years, but it 
worked its way at last into existence. It is extended one hun- 
dred and twenty-one miles from Chicago to Freeport, and there 
intersects the Illinois Central Railroad. The Illinois Central 
Railroad extending from Cairo — one branch to Dubuque, in 
Iowa, and the other to Chicago — is the most splendid and mag- 
nificent road in America. It is upward of seven hundred miles 



MY OWN TIMES. 323 

long, and not only connects the North and South together, but 
extends through the middle of the most fertile and prolific soil 
on the globe. This road received from the United States a 
great quantity of land for its construction, and was made on 
the most substantial and approved system. It would require a 
volume to record the history of this road; sufifice it to say here, 
that this road is grand and magnificent, and is in perfect keep- 
ing with the age and State where it is built. 

A fine road is constructed from Alton to Chicago, connecting 
the Atlantic with the Western waters. This was the first road 
in the Union connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Missis- 
sippi. Another road has been constructed from Chicago to the 
Mississippi at Rock Island, also connecting the seaboard with 
the Mississippi. 

A road has been constructed this summer from lUinoistown, 
opposite St. Louis, Missouri, to Vincennes, Indiana. This road 
is one hundred and forty-six miles long, and connects the Ocean 
and the Mississippi together by Terre Haute, Indiana, and Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. A fine road is now constructed from the Illinois 
River, by Jacksonville and Springfield, to Decatur, on the Illi- 
nois Central Road. A road is built from Peoria to the Rock 
Island Railroad, fourteen miles west of Peru. « 

Another has recently been constructed from Joliet direct to 
the East, intersecting the roads east from Chicago. A road is 
built from Belleville to Alton, by the lUinoistown, and the cars 
are on it. 

A fine road is nearly completed from Terre Haute, Indiana, 
to Alton that will connect the ocean with the Mississippi. 

These are some of the roads built in the State, but others are 
being completed so fast that we can scarcely record them. I 
presume that there are two thousand miles of railroads running 
at this time in the State of Illinois. 



CHAPTER CVIII. • 

The Internal Improvements of- the State in 1836. — Railroads. — The 
Canal. 

It frequently occurs with nations, as well as with the indi- 
viduals, to be impressed with wild vagaries and impulses which 
are not founded on reason or common-sense. The United 
States frequently fall into these whims, and bids defiance for 
years to sober reflection. At times, a ha.nking-7ua7iia takes hold 
of the public, and many banks, more than are needed, are char- 
tered. The manufacture of silk, and the appendages, excited 
the people, and the white mulberry, (Morns vmlticatdis^ was 
the rage on which to feed the silk -worms. Another senseless 



324 MY OWN TIMES. 

vagary, without the least common -sense in it, was the mania 
that Louis Kossuth raised among the people to join him to 
conquer general and universal freedom, at least as far as Hun- 
gary was concerned. And in the year 1836, the fever of inter- 
nal improvements raged throughout most of the States in the 
Union. Pennsylvania, my native state, was crazy to improve 
the whole country, whether the wants of the people required it 
or not. Indiana was almost as wild; and Illinois, also, was 
tm/^-r^ considerably with the mania. 

This move of internal improvements commenced to rise in 
Illinois in 1832, and rolled on, increasing in its momentum until 
1S36, when a general system was established by law. Some 
shallow writers blame the politicians for this unwise and ex- 
travagant system, but it is on the people themselves where the 
blame rests. The masses were more strenuous and decided for 
the improvements than the politicians were, and forced their 
leaders into it. A large rrgeeting was held in Nashville, Wash- 
ington County, to bring the subject before the people and the 
next legislature. The people would not entrust their repre- 
sentatives in the general assembly, but had delegates also there 
in the lobbies to urge on the general improvement system. 

A bill was passed in the legislature of 1836 and 1837, and 
vetoed by the council of revision, but the same was passed 
through both branches of the general assembly over the gov- 
ernor and judges. This act contemplated great improvements, 
and authorized the loan of eight millions of dollars. This is the 
origin of the State debt, except the small previous debt for the 
construction of the canal. The system provided for railroads 
from Cairo to Galena, from Alton to Shawneetown, from Alton 
to Mount Carmel, from Alton to the State line near Terre 
Haute, from Quincy, through Springfield, east to the Wabash, 
from Bloomington to Pekin, and from Peoria to Warsaw, 
amounting to about thirteen hundred miles of railroads. The 
rivers — Kaskaskia, Illinois, Great and Little Wabash, and Rock 
— were to be improved. Also, two hundred thousand dollars 
were to be distributed throughout the counties where the im- 
provements did not extend. At the next session, with a new 
general assembly, the debt for internal improvements was again 
increased eight hundred thousand dollars. The fever still raged. 

I was absent from the State in congress mostly for three 
years, and when I returned home, in 1837, I found the people 
perfectly insane on the subject of improvements. No reason or 
argument would reach them. But the banks failed considera- 
bly, and the money for those improvements could not be pro- 
cured in another year, so that a called-session of the general 
assembly in 1838 and 1839, was forced to repeal the whole sys- 
tem, and to provide for its being wound up. 

Another misfortune in the system was the law requiring the 



MY OWN TIMES. 32$ 

work on the roads to be commenced at the same time on each 
improvement. By this system, no improvemeijt was completed 
except the railroad from Springfield to the Illinois River. This 
road was of no advantage to the State, and the legislature of 
1846 ordered it to be sold at whatever price it would bring. If 
I recollect rightly, I proposed the sale of all the improvements 
of the State that would sell, and this policy was adopted. The 
above road cost the State about a million dollars, and sold for 
one hundred thousand in State indebtedness. 

The whole amount of the State debt for the canal and the 
internal improvements was $14,237,348. This was a heavy debt 
for the population of the State, there being at the time only 
488,929 inhabitants, according to the census of 1840, and they 
too embarrassed by private debts and poor. This debt, for a 
short time, retarded the settlement of the country, but at no 
time was there the least notion among the masses to relieve 
themselves by repudiation. The subject was mentioned in con- 
gress in 1 84 1, I think, and I remarked that the people of Illi- 
nois would, in a short time, pay the whole debt, and that repu- 
diation was, by the masses of the people, not dreamed of 

It is due to history to state, that the Hon. Sidney Breese was 
the first person who brought the subject of the Illinois Central 
Railroad before the people in a newspaper publication, which 
was then a splendid conception, and which is now the most 
splendid and magnificent railroad in the world. George For- 
quer, Esq., proposed in the senate of 1832 and 1833, a sur- 
vey for a railroad across the State through Springfield, and 
Lieut-Governor Jenkins the survey of the Illinois Central Road 
from Cairo to Peru. These were the aborigines of the railroads 
in Illinois. The northern section of the State was not settled 
at that day, and needed no improvements. 

The Illinois and Michigan Canal, connecting the waters of 
the lakes with the Mississippi, is one of the greatest improve- 
ments in the United States. It is ninety-seven miles long, sixty 
feet wide, and six feet deep. The State of Illinois never ceased 
making efforts to construct this canal from 18 18 to its comple- 
tion in 1848. During all this long series of years, enactments 
were made, at times surveys were executed, and at last money 
was obtained in 1836, with which to commence the work. 

In 1827, our members in congress, Messrs. Edwards, Thomas, 
and Cook, obtained a grant of land to aid in the construction 
of the canal. The Congress of the United States donated lor 
the construction every alternate section of land for five miles 
on each side of the whole length of the canal This was the 
great sheet-anchor of the canal. 

In the times of the internal improvements, m 1836, the money 
was procured by a loan, and the work commenced in reality on 
this improvement. The labors on the canal continued for sev- 



326 MY OWN TIMES. 

eral years, until the failure of the banks deranged the currency 
and partially destroyed it. The work on the canal, like all 
other improvements, was suspended for two or three years. 

Judge Young and myself being commissioners to negotiate a 
loan for the canal, obtained some funds for it in the year 1839, 
in Philadelphia and London, but the last source was soon 
thereafter dried up, and the work was suspended. 

The general assembly, in the session of 1844 and 1845, made 
an excellent law authorizing the canal -bondholders to take 
the canal and all its property and tolls for a certain number 
of years, and in consideration, the bondholders were to advance 
more money — about sixteen hundred thousand dollars — and 
finish the canal. This arrangement was made, and the canal, in 
the hands of the company, was completed in 1848. The great 
object of the State was to open this avenue of commerce for the 
benefit of the public, and not so much for the tolls arising on it. 

The canal is in complete repair and operation, arranged with 
boats, and all necessary equipments, to accommodate the great 
business done on it. It is also fast diminishing the debt which 
was a heavy lien on it in the beginning, and in a short time the 
whole debt of construction will be liquidated and the canal 
return again into the hands of the State. This arrangement 
will also make a payment of five or six millions of the State 
debt. But the State debt is being paid without the least embar- 
rassment to the people, and in a few years, it will be entirely 
liquidated. 

The improvements and business of the country increase so 
fast that the canal does more business since the railroad passes 
along its shores than it did before in the unimproved years of 
the country. Fleets of canal-boats are seen as low down the 
river as St. Louis, and all the intermediate ports to Chicago. 

It was the overflow of the bank-currency, about the year 
1836, that made the country so wild for improvements and town 
speculations. But the revulsion set in, and all these imaginary 
schemes fell dead to the ground. 



CHAPTER CIX. 

The Improvements and Growth of the Country.— In 1840, the Whole 
State was under Organized Government, and the Wilderness Dis- 
appeared. — Indians Removed. — Indian Traits of Character. — George 
E. Walker's Command of the Indians. 

As it has already been remarked, that Illinois, after the 
B!ack-Hawk war, commenced to improve and populate with 
great rapidity. So many intelligent volunteers, and the United- 
States officers, seeing the extraordinary fertility of the soil and 



MY OWN TIMES. 327 

the beauty of the country, gave the State standing and charac- 
ter at home and abroad. This caused the whole northern sec- 
tion of the country to fill up with industrious inhabitants, and, 
in 1840, counties were organized throughout the whole State, 
and the wilderness and Indians disappeared. I witnessed, with 
deep feeling and anxiety, all this for forty years. I saw the 
<:ountry in 1800, when my father first settled in it, a wilderness, 
occupied by the savages, and at this day I see the State, of Illi- 
nois all occupied by an intelligent, industrious, and happy popu- 
lation, and all the various branches of industry making rapid 
•strides to achieve the high destiny of the State. I have been 
an attentive and interested observer of all this extraordinary 
progress of the country, from a few thousand inhabitants, loca- 
ted in sparse settlements in two counties, on the margin of the 
Mississippi, to the present population of almost a million and a 
half of inhabitants, and this all accomplished within a little over 
a half-century. I feel happy that my lot was cast in this age of 
progress, and that I had the opportunity, in my humble manner, 
to assist in the advancement of the country. Illinois is only 
reaching the borders of its greatness. Although the State con- 
tains more than two thousand miles of Railroads completed in 
its limits, and has a population of almost a million and a half 
of souls, and ranks, at this day, the Empire State of the West, 
yet in a half-century more, it will not be prophecy, but history, 
that Illinois will be the most populous State in the Union, and 
Chicago the first or second city on the American continent. 

In 1833, the last Indian tribe, the Pottawatomies, sold all their 
lands, in the north-eastern section of the State, to the General 
Government, and bid "a long farewell" to the graves of their 
fathers. This cession being made, and the public lands sur- 
veyed, the country was settled up in a few years as above 
stated. 

There are traits of Indian character that are strong and 
peculiar to them. Some years since, the Sac Indians killed 
some of the Iowa tribe, and a demand of the Iowa Indians 
was made on the Sacs for the murderers. By compromise, the 
demand was reduced to one Sac — the man who killed the 
lowas. When the demand was made, the Indian agreed on to 
be given up to death was sick, and was unable to travel at the 
time. The brother of the sick Indian cheerfully volunteered to 
be executed in the place of his brother, and marched with a 
Sac chief west to the lowas and gave himself up. This noble 
act, and the young Indian appearing so brave and generous to 
suffer death for his brother, softened the hearts of the lowas, 
and they restored the young Sac with honor to his nation. 
This kind act of the lowas made a lasting peace between the 
two nations. 

In the fall of the year, 1833, Mr. George E. Walker, of La- 



328 MY OWN TIMES. 

Salle County, was the sheriff of the county, and had, as an officer, 
a singular transaction with two young Pottawatomie Indians. It 
is due the subject to state that Mr. Walker is a backwoodsman 
of strong mind, and much moral and physical courage, who is 
also well acquainted with Indian character. He possessed great 
influence over the Indians. These two Indians had been con- 
cerned in the massacre of the whites in the Black-Hawk war^ 
the previous year, on Indian Creek, in LaSalle County. They 
had been indicted in LaSalle County for murder, and had ap- 
peared at the time the circuit-court was to be held at Ottau'a, 
in the county, but the term of the court was changed, and they 
were not tried. They supposed the whites, as they said, did 
not want them any more, and went with the rest of their tribe 
over to the west side of the Mississippi. Walker and sureties- 
were responsible for the appearance of the Indians at the court 
for trial. Just after the close of the Black-Hawk war, bad and 
angry feelings existed between the whites and the Indians. 
Walker went alone for the Indians to the west side of the Mis- 
sissippi. He went single-handed into the heart of the Indian 
country, two or three hundred miles from any white settlement,. 
and in the midst of the tribe who were so exasperated against 
the whites. He called a council of the chiefs, and it was agreed 
that the two young Indians should return with Walker, three or 
four hundred miles, to court. The Indians all considered it cer- 
tain that the two young men would be hung. Being shot they 
did not dislike so much as hanging. Walker and his Indians^ 
after they bade a formal and sincere farewell to their relatives 
and friends, started for Ottawa. They travelled alone, and 
camped and slept together every night. Walker spoke their 
language well, and was intimately acquainted with Indian char- 
acter. At Rock Island, were many Indians trading with the 
whites, and Walker's prisoners requested him to go alone 
through the Indians and so many whites at Fort Armstrong at 
Rock Island, and they would follow him alone. They said they 
could not endure the dishonor for the Indians and w^hites to see 
them, like dogs, under the power of Walker. He agreed to their 
request, and they marched alone through their Indian comrades 
on the Island, and met Walker at the place agreed on. The 
party travelled together, and the horse of Walker was used by 
the Indians as much as by Walker, and he walked with the 
other Indian while one was on his horse before. Often Walker 
has told me that an Indian would ride his horse a long way 
ahead of the others, and make camp arrangements by the time 
Walker and the other Indian would arrive. Walker never held 
out the least promise to them that they would be acquitted, as 
he did not know himself how the case would go in the hands of 
the excited white population. One night, they asked Walker 
to camp at an old Sac encampment where there was good water 



MY OWN TIMES. 329 

and grass. At this camp, Walker's horse ran off and one of the 
Indians followed him ten or twelve miles and brout^ht him back. 
Walker and Indians layout seven nights, and the Indians might 
have killed him any night and never been captured for it. The 
Government procured able counsel to defend the Indians. 
Col' W^illiam S. Hamilton, of Wisconsin, was employed as 
counsel to defend them. This gentleman had great influence 
with both the whites and the Indians. The Indians were ac- 
quitted, and returned safe to their nation west of the Missis- 
sippi. Walker performed this extraordinary act with the war- 
riors on his personal standing and popularity with the Indians. 
It was his personal influence over the tribe that gave him this 
power. 

Another transaction shows what respect and honor they gave 
Walker. On Peoria Lake, sixty or seventy miles below Ottawa, 
a young chief, Senachewine, brought to Ottawa an Indian who 
had murdered another Indian, and the chief desired Walker to 
hang the murderer, Senachewine said Walker was a great man 
with the Indians, and for him to hang the Indian would do 
more good, to prevent crime, than for his warriors to kill him. 
They had brought the prisoner up sixty odd miles, under a 
guard, for Walker to hang him. When the Indians reached 
Ottawa, Walker was not at home, and the father of Walker was 
kind and civil to the Indians, but did not know how on earth 
his son would escape from this dilemma. On Walker's return 
home, Senachewine made his business known to Walker. Wal- 
ker at once agreed to hang the prisoner, but said he was hun- 
gry, as he had not been at breakfast or dinner. While Walker 
was eating, he gave the young chief and those with him some 
brandy. Walker ate slowly to reflect what to do. He had not 
the least notion of hanging the Indian, but did not want to dis- 
please the chief, as Walker was a large Indian trader. Walker's 
slow eating gave the brandy time to operate on the Indian. It 
made the chief relax some in his desire to have the Indian 
hung. The culprit had killed another Indian in a drunken 
frolic when he knew nothing about the act, and Walker thought 
the prisoner was not much guilty. After dinner, when the chief 
had become mclloived down by the brandy. Walker got a rope 
and prepared to hang the prisoner, and said: "Now I will hang 
the Indian, but, in a few months, when all the Indians will be 
at Chicago to receive their annuities, they could all see me hang 
the prisoner there, and it would do much more good to hang 
him in public, to prevent any more murders;" and added, "but I 
am ready to hang him now, if you say so." The chief decided 
to postpone the execution, and before the time, the affair was 
made up among the Indians. This was a singular sagacity of 
Walker to save himself and the Indian in this dilemma. 

Another time, at Chicago, when the Indians received their 



330 MY OWN TIMES. 

annuities, an Indian had been drunk for days, and was covered, 
/ace and all, with mud and dirt. The drunken Indian came to 
Walker at the hotel, among many gentlemen, and wanted to 
/:iss his friend Walker. Walker, again, did not like to displease 
the Indians, and told the drunken Indian that it was Sunday, a 
holiday with the Americans, to come to-morrow and "I will let 
you kiss me." The Indian got sober and forgot it, and Walker 
retained the Indians' friendship. 

On a steamboat, on the Illinois River, a young clergyman, 
green from one of the Eastern colleges, wanted to know much 
about the Indian character, and made himself rather trouble- 
some to the passengers. 'Some wag put Mr. Walker up to the 
trick, and told the young clergyman that Mr. Walker was part 
Indian, and could give him all the information he desired of the 
Indian customs and manners. He called on Walker, and took 
down for publication all the information relative to the Indians 
that Walker gave him. He knew well the customs, manners, and 
religion of the Pottawatomie Indians, and gave the clergyman 
correct information. But the joke was in the minister inquiring 
of Walker about his Indian parentage. Walker was of dark 
complexion, with exceedingly black eyes, and could speak the 
Indian language well. He played the joke off on the student, 
who was a scholar, but knew nothing of practical common- 
sense. It is said that the whole Walker transaction was pub- 
lished in an Eastern magazine as genuine Indian information 
from the half-breed Walker. Common-sense is a great friend 
through this life. 

CHAPTER ex. 

The Election. — Governor Carlin. — He appointed the Author a Com- 
missioner to make a Loan of Money for the Canal. — Obtains a Loan 
of a Million Dollars in Philadelphia. — Embarks for Europe. — Lands 
at Liverpool, England. 

I offered for congress, as before stated, in the spring of 1838, 
and my opponent was the Rev. John Hogan, of Alton. Mr. 
Hogan was a gentleman of good talents and a handsome 
speaker. He was industrious and made many speeches — but 
•did not succeed. 

At the same election. Cols. Cyrus Edwards and Thomas Car- 
lin were candidates for governor of the State, and both were 
excellent men and very popular. Col. Carlin was elected. He 
made a wise and prudent governor, and retired to private life 
with the decided approbation of the people. Gov. Carlin pos- 
sessed a strong and vigorous mind, and although deprived of a 
liberal education in early life, yet he acquired much sound prac- 
tical information of men and measures. He was an ardent and 



,MY OWN TIMES. 33I 

zealous Democrat, and supported that party from principle. 
He possessed unquestioned patriotism and integrity, and has 
left a character that will descend to posterity with fame and 
honor. He was eminent in these traits of character: a decidedly 
strong mind, strict integrity, and great energy. The reason I 
speak so positively of Gov. Carlin is that he and I were raised 
together in the backwoods of Illinois, ranged together in the 
war of 18 12, in the same military company, and acted together 
in the same political party for many years. 

The General Assembly of 1838 and 1839 authorized the gov- 
ernor to make a loan of four millions of dollars to prosecute the 
work on the canal. I was on the circuit practising law when 
Gov. Carlin wrote me that he had appointed me a commissioner 
to make the loan for the canal. I had not the least intimation 
whom he would appoint until I received his letter. I called on 
him at Vandalia, and had much conversation with him on the 
subject. I had no desire to visit Europe and urged the governor 
to appoint some other person. He refused, and said I must go, 
as he kneiv me and could trust me. There was considerable 
complaint of other commissioners, and he wished to appoint, he 
said, such as had the confidence of the people. I urged upon 
the governor the propriety of appointing another commissioner 
with me, and recommended the Hon. Richard M. Young. This 
gentleman was then in the senate of the United States and at 
Washington City. After some time, the governor did appoint 
him, and we met in London in the summer thereafter of the 
same year. 

The money-market was getting tighter every day, and I knew 
that if anything could be done, the sooner the better to com- 
mence operations. All the money which had been procured for 
the canal was expended, and if funds were not obtained instantly 
the work on it would have to be suspended and stopped for some 
time. 

This duty to provide money immediately for the canal placed 
me under much responsibility and hurried me on to the eastern 
cities, where I met Gen. Rawlings and Col. Oakley, the fund- 
commissioners of the State. I obtained the able services of 
Gen. Rawlings, and we made a contract with the United States 
Bank of Pennsylvania to furnish a million of dollars for the 
canal, and the bank to take the canal-bonds for payment. The 
paper of the bank, in ten-dollar notes, was to be paid out on the 
canal. It is due to truth to say that Gen. Rawlings had great 
influence with the president of the bank, Mr. Biddle, and he did 
more than I to obtain the loan. We both signed the contract. 
This loan kept the work on the canal going on for some time. 

The duties I was about to perform required a different study 
than I had been engaged in, but I was a tolerable good judge 
of human character and knew as much about the resources of 



332 MY OWN TIMES • 

Illinois to pay her debts as any one. I also was well posted as 
to the canal and its resources, lands, and future tolls. ' With 
these outfits, and our expenses, I prepared for the voyage across 
the Atlantic to the Old World. The State bonds were being 
executed in the city of New York, and would be forwarded to 
me in London. I went in advance of Judge Young and the 
bonds, to prepare for or make the sale of the bonds before the 
hard times would entirely shut down on us. I discovered in my 
intercourse with the people of Europe, and particularly in my 
duties to procure a loan of money, that a person in office, or 
who has been in high office, has much more standing with 
them than in the United States. I was then a member of 
congress, and had been governor of the State, and had filled 
many other official stations, which gave me a standing that did 
much service to advance the interest of the canal. The pecu- 
niary market was becoming worse and worse every day I was in 
Europe, which made it almost impossible to obtain a loan, 
although all agreed that the canal-bonds of Illinois were the 
best in the market. 

Myself and wife set sail from New York on the 19th of May, 
1839, for Europe. We embarked on the steamer Liverpool, and 
sailed for the city of the same name. In this vessel on this 
voyage were passengers from almost all the nations of the earth. 
The Hon. Daniel Webster and family were on board. So was 
Gen. Rawlings and Col. Oakley, the two commissioners of the 
State. We had eighty-six passengers on board, and some were 
from Canada, Mexico, Gautemala, Cuba, and some from almost 
every state in the Union. Many of the military officers of the 
British army that formed the court-martial in Canada that tried 
and condemned the patriots of that country, were among the 
passengers. 

I kept a journal of my travels in Europe, so that my nar- 
rative of it will be more correct than if I trusted to memory 
alone. We enjoyed on the voyage excellent weather, and had 
on board every necessary and comfort of living, together with a 
very agreeable and intelligent society. The only drawback was 
the sea-sickness with those who were not accustomed to the 
ocean. My wife embarked in the travel mostly for her health, 
but her continued sea-sickness was worse on her than any ad- 
vantage she obtained from the voyage. 

We saw whales forcing the water up out of their mouths 
some distance, but the most surprising things were the small, 
dark-colored birds, known as "Mother-Carey's Chickens," hover- 
ing in great numbers, at times, around the vessel. They visited 
our steamer when land was not within a thousand miles of us. 
It is strange what could support them in this desert of water. 
How could they roost at night? Man will never read all through 
the book of nature. * 



MY OWN TIMES. 333 

It is the custom of vessels to calculate the course and distance 
run for the last twenty-four hours and post it up at 12 o'clock 
on each day. This is a satisfaction to know what progress is 
made each day on the ocean, and also to know the distance to 
the port to which the vessel is sailing. It is surprising to what 
accuracy the science and practice of navigation have arrived. 
The chronometer has been so perfected that it will run for years 
without varying but a few minutes or seconds, or perhaps none, 
from the exact time. With this exact time, and other improve- 
ments in navigation, a mariner can designate the location of 
his vessel more accurately on the water than he could measure 
it on land. 

The captain of the Liverpool steamer told us at a certain 
point near the coast of Ireland he would get soundings at so 
many fathoms of water. He let down his lead^line and brought 
sand up as he had stated. This calculation was made after 
sailing almost three thousand miles from one continent to the 
other. This accuracy astonished all who were not familiar with 
navigation. The great expanse of water, the great ocean, at 
once showed us that it had a great agency in our Revolution in 
preventing the mother-country from transporting their armies 
and munitions of war. Although steam-vessels pass over this 
ocean in a few days, there is a world of water which makes itself 
better known by sight than by conception. I think it is fortu- 
nate for the United States that this great barrier of water does 
exist between America and Europe. I think it would be doubt- 
ful, if the United States lay contiguous to Europe, whether our 
example and habits would improve them, or their example and 
habits injure us. I think there is no patriot who would like to 
see the barrier between the United States and Europe destroyed. 
To live on friendly terms with the nations of Europe is our 
duty to commerce, and to extend to them by our example and 
precepts, a spirit of free government; but to receive many of 
their habits and customs, and their principles of monarchy, 
would be a ruinous exchange. 

We saw Cape Clear, in Ireland — the first European land I 
saw — and on the 2d of June landed at Liverpool, being out from 
New York only fifteen days. 



334 MY OWN TIMES. 



CHAPTER CXI. 

The First Sight of Europe to a Backwoodsman. — The EngUsh and 
French. — Liverpool. — St. James' Cemetery. — The Tunnel. — Rail- 
road. — The Blue-Coat Boys. — The Blundells. — Buildings in Europe 
not Gay. — Statue of Lord Nelson. — Hotels in England not C^audy. 

It is truly astonishing that fifteen days' voyage can present 
such a change as Europe does to the backwoods' American. 
Every thing is so different in Europe from America, that it looks 
like a dream until we become familiar with the country. The 
first two great considerations that struck my mind were the 
myriads of people, and the bare and open appearance of the 
country, being almost entirely destitute of timber. But the 
very character aftd standing of Europe is imposing throughout 
the world, and the veneration and respect we have for this sec- 
tion of the earth, impress us with a feeling that is easier felt 
than described. The great antiquity visible on the cities, and 
on every thing, together with the solid and durable improve- 
ments, make us believe that the country had scarcely ever a 
beginning, or would scarcely ever have an end. 

The buildings, public and private, in Liverpool, and, in fact, 
throughout all England, are constructed in that solid, durable 
manner, which are intended more for service and comfort than 
for show and dazzling appearance. Utility is indelibly im- 
pressed on everything in England more than outward show and 
parade. This trait is marked on the nation so far as my obser- 
vation extended. They never indulge in outside appearances of 
anything to the exclusion of comfort and profit. The English 
are a sober, solid, and reflecting people, tenacious in their habits 
and customs, and slow to adopt anything new or strange. They 
are firm to obstinacy, and will scarcely ever believe anything is 
good or right that is not English. 

By crossing the British Channel to France, we find a people 
directly the reverse of the English. The great leading trait in 
the French character is, to make the great, grand, and magnifi- 
cent — the nc plus ultra of perfection. Any thing that is grand, 
splendid, and brilliant, is admired by the French. The great 
emperor, Napoleon, the grand army, and the great French Em- 
pire, dazzle and enchant the French. They are a people of 
more taste and sentiment than the English. The latter nation 
depends more on reason and judgment, while the former makes 
their sumnmni bonuni to consist in something that is great, 
grand, and beautiful, that strikes their imaginations and fancy. 
The French are, nevertheless, not destitute of the most profound 
philosophers, statesmen, authors, and warriors that the world 
ever saw. One nation live an easy, social, and gay life, while 



MY OWN TIMES. 335 

the otftr labors through the monotony of substantial living, 
which advances the animal comforts more than the mental en- 
joyments. They are both great nations in their respective 
spheres and policy. 

The general appearance of Liverpool is prosperous and happy. 
It enjoys a great commerce to every quarter of the globe, and 
its dbcks, and other means to benefit commerce, are substantial 
and convenient. The docks for shipping at Liverpool are the 
largest and best on earth. They are made of cut stone, seem- 
ingly as durable as time. Its whole appearance indicates its 
great antiquity, as no one knows its commencement, and provi- 
dence alone knows its end. 

St. James' cemetery at Liverpool is a curiosity. It is exca- 
vated out of the solid rock in the city. The rock was all taken 
from this quarry with which to build the city, and afterward the 
excavation, several hundred feet below the surface, was con- 
verted into a graveyard. The precipice around the cemetery is 
perpendicular, and is one or two hundred feet deep. The houses 
of the city are built around it and to it. It is of considerable 
extent, and but one slope into it. The rock is excavated to 
receive the dead bodies. Nice tombs are here in abundance. I 
saw the tomb of Hon. William T. Barry, of Kentucky, in this 
cemetery. This sight thrilled through me, bearing the thoughts 
of Kentucky to my heart. A substantial railroad is made from 
this city to London, 205 miles, and passes through a tunnel in 
Liverpool one mile and a quarter long, some of which passes 
under the city. The cars from this city reach London in ten or 
twelve hours. This is an excellent road, and was in good repair 
when we travelled on it. 

Early in the morning of the 4th of June, I heard music in the 
streets of Liverpool, and found it was performed by the boys 
of "The Blue-Coat Hospital," so called. This institution was 
formed by Mr. Blundell, in the year 1716, and was patronized 
by his son and grandson. These benevolent men gave great 
estates to this institution. The portraits of these three found- 
ers, together with their short history, and that of the institution, 
are hung up in the hall of the establishment. Other benevolent 
persons have added to the institution. The boys were all 
dressed in blue, and were either orphans or children of very indi- 
gent parents. They enter the college at eight, and remain until 
they are fourteen years old. There are two hundred and fifty 
boys and one hundred girls in this institution. The children, 
male and female, were well clothed and kept, and were taught 
the rudiments of learning, and also instructed to work. The 
boys were at fourteen put out to trades, and the girls to private 
families of good standing. This institution speaks well for the 
Christian virtues of the people of Liverpool, and volumes for the 
truly benevolent Blundells. 



33^ MY OWN TIMES. 

On arriving in England, a person discovers the masses of the 
EngUsh are stronger, more healthy, and coarser in their deport- 
ment than the Americans. The English do not enter into dis- 
cussion and conversation as much as the Americans. They ave 
more reserved and taciturn than the Americans. The nature of 
the country and their political institutions, make this difference. 
One people are more benefited by thinking and talking than 
the other, and they indulge it more. The masses in Eng- 
land are more prudent, and observe more economy than the 
Americans. The latter people are more intelligent, energetic, 
and adventurous. The Americans often get into difficulties, but 
their talents and energy soon get them out again. There is no 
despondency in the Americans. It is with them somewhat like 
the English say, that "every American has a steam-engine in 
his breast, propelling him eternally onward." The masses of 
the English having no voice in the government do not discuss 
politics as the Americans do. There is an unbounded ambition 
in the Americans that does not exist with the English. This 
restlsss, ungovernable ambition, that renders the Americans so 
energetic and enthusiastic, does not afford them the calm, quiet 
happiness that an Englishman enjoys in his more quiet and 
grave course through life. But happiness is generally very 
nearly equal among mankind, as I have heretofore stated in this 
work. Liverpool being the first European city I saw, every- 
thing looked more strange and curious to me in it than when I 
became more accustomed to Europe. Almost everything — 
manufactories, buildings, and public edifices — are erected and 
conducted on a larger scale in England than in the United States. 
They have more laborers and more wealth than we have. I saw 
a foundry and steam-engine shop in Liverpool where I was in- 
formed that eight or nine hundred hands were employed. The 
coal and iron were furnished them from London on the railroad. 
A zoological garden in this city contains almost every animal 
that is not common in the country. The Brahmdon cow resem- 
bles our wild buffalo. Attached to this garden is an apiary that 
contains almost all the bird species on the earth. The pano- 
ramic paintings in this city were beautiful and of excellent taste. 
The custom-house was the largest building I ever saw at that 
time. It was five hundred and forty feet long, and several 
stories high. It was not deep in proportion to its length. It 
was built out of cut-stone, and appeared almost as lasting as 
time itself A costly statue in honor of Lord Nelson is erected 
in this city. It is made in bad taste, in my opinion. Four 
human beings were in chains at his feet, showing the nations 
the naval commander was a great conqueror. It might suit 
barbarous times, but does not comport with this age. The 
statue is made out of some dark material that neither time or 
weather can much injure. Out of the same material is made a 



MY OWN TIMES. 337 

gigantic statue of George the Third and his stud-horse, both as 
they should be, rough and coarse. The king is on his steed 
without a saddle. This is placed on an elevated pedestal in a 
public square. 

The houses in the large cities of Europe are generally larger, 
and more solid and durable than in the United States. When 
I returned to the city of New York, after a sojourn of three 
or four months in Europe, it seemed to me that the houses 
in America were much smaller than I had considered them to 
be before I saw those over the water. The buildings in Eng- 
land have not that gay, lively appearance which the houses in 
the United States display. The climate in England gives them 
a dark, dusky, and rather a gloomy appearance, and they do 
not use the gay and brilliant colors in painting their houses that 
we do. There is nothing elegant or splendid in the public 
houses in England like we see in either France or America, but 
every thing is arranged for true and substantial comfort and 
sensual enjoyment. In none of the finest and best-conducted 
hotels in Europe are the arrangements as they are in the United 
States. In Europe, the guests do not usually eat at the same 
table, as they do in America. In the old country, the custom is 
for each party, or each person if they please, to mess separately 
by themselves. The time of the meals, the place, and what 
dishes desired, are ordered and served up accordingly. The par- 
ties themselves form their own messes and not the landlord, and 
enjoy whatever they please to order. Almost everything may 
be had in those large cities that was ever thought of to gratify 
the appetite. This custom is sustained in Europe, as they have 
such very cheap prices for labor there. Labor is dearer here 
than in the old country, which is perhaps the reason we have 
not the same management here, because it is better than the 
promiscuous messing together, as is the practise in the United 
States. The European practice in this respect is fast becom- 
ing the custom in the large American cities, and is now adopted 
in many. 

CHAPTER CXII. 

London. — Its Leading Features. — Its Size. — Its Wealth. — Its An- 
tiquity. — In 1066, William the Conqueror gave it a Charter. — Old 
and New City. — St. Paul's Church. — Westminster Abbey. — Six 
Thousand Children in St. Paul's Church. — Bridges. — The Tunnel 
under the Thames. — Free Schools in London. — The Carriages in 
England. 

After remaining at Liverpool for a few days to recruit and see 
something of the city, we embarked in the cars for London, and 
passed this extraordinary tunnel already mentioned. The rural 
22 



338 MY OWN TIMES. 

districts of Old England were beautiful in a high state of cul 
tivation. I saw them reclaiming some marshy land by filling- 
it with earth. Land in that country is the main object, and 
scarcely an inch is left unoccupied or uncultivated. The naked- 
ness of the country still was a striking feature with me. It was 
similar to our prairie country in the north of this State, only 
the fine houses and the people were more plenty than with uir 
in the prairies. 

The cars stopped a short time at Birmingham, the great 
workshop of England, and in the evening we passed Hereford, 
where the country is covered for miles with the delf factories. 
I presume there are ten miles of factories, with the large chim- 
neys of the furnaces that extend several hundred feet into the 
air. Toward dark, we were in the cars with the mail from 
Liverpool to London, and a guard with a gun mounted the 
mail-bags to guard them. This is English prudence and right. 
We reached the great city toward sunset, and entered a large 
yard enclosed so that the rabble, the porters, and hack-drivers 
could not enter. This relieves the passenger while inside the 
enclosure, but when you set foot on the outside there is a 
scramble for your patronage, which is very disagreeable. 

It would require a long acquantance with London, and great 
talents to describe that famous city. The great leading feat- 
ures of this mammoth city were to me its enormous size, its 
great wealth, and its unknown antiquity. To be in the same 
city where Caesar two thousand years since commanded his 
army, shows that you are in a place of great antiquity, at least 
compared to the United States. The wealth of this city is 
wonderful and almost beyond belief A great writer says 
"London is the greatest, wealthiest, and most important me- 
tropolis in the world." This city contains almost two millions 
of souls and is still increasing. 

In the year 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, conquered the 
country and gave the charter to the city of London, which is 
retained to this day. The city then occupied about two miles 
square, and now it covers an area of eighteen miles. The old 
city limits remain, as to its government, to this day, although 
the old ancient wall is taken away. The new city built around 
the old one has a different government and is much larger than 
the old. The location of the old wall can be discovered in 
places, but the traces of it have mostly disappeared. 

The tunnel under the Thames is a great curiosity. It is 
1300 feet long and 32 feet wide, arched over to keep the river 
out. It is 22 feet high, with a wall in the middle, leaving about 
15 feet on each side for carriages, passengers, etc. It is made 
of brick, and is lighted so that a passage in it under the 
Thames is convenient and pleasant. This work is the best 
evidence to demonstrate what talent and money can accom- 



MY OWN TIMES. 339 

pHsh. I travelled on a railroad from London to Greenwich, 
four or five miles, which road passes over houses at the end in 
London. I came back by water on the Thames in a steamboat, 
which runs each hour from one place to the other. At Green- 
wich is the National Hospital for the invalid sailors and soldiers 
worn out in the public-service. 

The old London -Bridge was commenced in the year 117O. 
Many of the bridges over the Thames were constructed for 
both utility and substantial elegance, and except a person looks 
he would suppose he was walking, while on them, on the solid 
earth. Poor dealers stand at the ends of these bridges annoy- 
ing passengers to buy from them. The police do not permit 
them to put their articles for sale on the ground, so that they 
seem distressed with the weight on their arms and backs. 

I was informed that in Dorsetshire, England, mounds of 
earth, tumuli, were known to exist with a tradition that a great 
battle had been fought near them, between the Romans and 
the natives, and that the slain in battle had been buried in 
these tiivmli. A few years since, a few of the mounds were 
opened and glass jars, or large flat bottles, two or three feet 
long, containing a liquor, were found in them. In this liquor 
are supposed to have been deposited the hearts of the officers 
slain in battle. The jars' were brought from Rome, and were 
not injured by time, although they must have been deposited 
there about two thousand years. The coin and other antiqui- 
ties discovered in these tumuli showed it to be in the time of 
Adrian, emperor of Rome, when these mounds were erected. 

I discovered that the churches and fortifications in Europe in 
ancient times were larger and better than the rest of the build- 
ings, in proportion. The church and the government had the 
power in olden times and they abused it. The old churches 
are venerable and magnificent. The Westminster Abbey struck 
me with more surprise and wonder than St. Paul's, although the 
latter displays more modern splendor. Westminster Abbey is 
530 feet long and 375 feet wide, and the towers 225 feet high 
— the middle 253 feet. St. Paul's is 500 feet long and 280 
wide. It covers two acres of ground. I saw in St. Paul's 
church one Sunday, it was said, six thousand children from the 
various free-schools of London, and the Bishop preaching to 
them. It was an imposing spectacle. Each school had its 
uniform and livery to distinguish it from the others. I suppose 
that as many spectators were attending service in the church as 
the children amounted to. These children were being educated 
at the public expense, and were orphans or the children of in- 
digent parents. 

It was stated by authentic records, that sixty-six thousand 
children received each Sunday, instruction at the Sabbath- 
schools in London. They attend to business all week and to 



340 MY OWN TIMES. 

school on the Sabbath. These children attend divine service on 
Sunday, headed by their teachers, who amount to at least five 
thousand, and who also attend the children at their houses to 
see if they conduct themselves with proprity during the week. 

These teachers receive no pay save an approving conscience. 
They are actuated by the pure principles of Christianity taught 
in the New Testament. 

I must not omit to mention some facts in regard to the 
carriages and wagons I saw in London. I do not recollect to 
have seen a wooden axle in any wheeled carriage, cart, or wagon 
in Europe. Iron is there considered to be the best for light run- 
ning, strength, and durability. Pleasure carriages, wagons, and 
carts are all stronger and coarser than in the United States. 
They do not make use of eliptical springs as we do in America. 
Their saddles are also behind our age in the United States. 
They have fine horses and take more care of them than we do. 
They clean and rub them so that they never use a saddle-cloth. 



CHAPTER CXIII. 

Visit to Oxford. — Colleges. — Libraries. — Ancient Buildings. — Glass 
Broken by Cromwell. — Return to London. — The Tower of London. 
— The Parliament. — Lord Brougham. — Short Speeches. — The Courts. 
— Mayor's Court. — Government of London. 

On the 1 8th of July, 1839, I visited Oxford to see there a 
cattle-fair. Mr. Webster was there and made a speech. This 
ancient city of Oxford, so famous for its institutions of learning, 
is fifty-three miles north-west of London, and is situated in the 
midst of a beautiful and well-improved country. Oxford is at 
least twelve hundred years old by authentic history, and per- 
haps twelve more of which we know nothing. It is built on 
rather low river-bottom, but money and talents can accomplish 
almost anything, and have made it a pleasant place. The 
number of inhabitants of Oxford is considered about fourteen 
thousand, and several thousand students in addition in the 
winter. This city seemed to me to be on the decline, as I 
presume private schools are taking the place of these public 
institutions, which are the main support of this city. There are 
nineteen or twenty colleges congregated in this city, and libra- 
ries the most extensive perhaps in the world. I saw the studies 
of Samuel Johnson, John Wesley, and other eminent scholars, 
and the rooms where Charles the First and Charles the Second 
held their parliaments; a room is also marked out to travellers 
as the one where Cardinal Wolsey held his spiritual courts. I 
visited the two main libraries, the Ratcliff and Bodlean. The 
first contains seven hundred thousand volumes and the other 



MY OWN TIMES, 34I 

sixteen hundred thousand. It would seem to a backwoodsman 
as if all the books on earth were collected in these libraries. 
Many ancient and curious manuscripts are lodged in them. I 
found here the volume containing the travels of Charlevoix in 
New France, including Illinois, in the year 1721. As this city 
is situated in the interior and has no foreign commerce it has 
retained its original architecture. It presents great antiquity 
and the old Gothic style of architecture. I saw marked on a 
church the year 730, when it was built by the Saxons. Many 
of the buildings, public and private, present the Gothic style of 
1530, when Henry VIII. was the sovereign. In the churches I 
saw broken glass and other injuries done these edifices by the 
soldiers of Cromwell when they stabled their horses in these 
houses of worship. To show such a wanton act of vandal 
barbarism, they do not repair them. Cromwell may have com- 
mitted some wanton acts, but still he was the greatest man 
England ever produced. His government is not now so obnox- 
ious as heretofore. 

I spent a day in visiting the ancient and magnificent fortress, 
the Tower of London. This mass of ancient buildings is situ- 
ated at the east extremity of the city, and on the northern bank 
of the Thames, covering twelve acres of land. It is fortified with 
a strong wall around it, and the whole surrounded with a ditch. 
It was once a royal residence, but it has not been occupied by 
the royal family since the days of Queen Elizabeth. It was 
erected in the year 1076, by William the Conqueror, but great 
additions have been made to it since. A great number of 
cannon have been placed between the Tower and the river, to 
be fired on official occasions. The white tower is a large, 
irregular building, standing almost in the centre, where are 
stowed away a great number of arms. The record office is 
kept in a large building where are deposited the rolls of the 
kingdom and the tenures of land. The jewel office contains 
the most splendid regalia with which royality is invested at the 
coronation and on other occasions. The imperial crown, mod- 
eled for royality, is the richest in the world, as it is reported. 
All the apartments contain arms sufficient to arm two hundred 
thousand soldiers, so it is stated in the English books. A 
veteran soldier was our guide through the Tower, and took 
great pleasure in counting over the trophies, cannon and arms, 
taken by the British in various battles with their enemies in 
war. I was on the eve of asking him where the cannon were 
that the British army took from the Americans at the battle of 
Newj3rleans, the 8th of January, 18 15. The entrance to this 
fortress is through four successive gates, which are exceedingly 
strong as I well remember. The gate, so called, was not hung 
on hinges, but was an immense, heavy, and strong wall of wood, 
which was raised up by levers to permit the people to pass in 



342 MY OWN TIMES. 

and out, and then in the evening shut down again so as to close 
the entrance into the Tower. 

In all my travels in England I saw scarcely a foot of unculti- 
vated ground, or that was not used for some purpose. They 
cultivate with some vegetable the earth directly to the tracks of 
the railroad, so that the cars touch the products that grow so 
near the road. The Island can scarcely sustain the population 
from the earth, so that every inch of ground is used for some 
purpose. I visited often the sessions of the parliament, which 
was then held in the old church of St. Stephen's. They com- 
menced their sessions about sunset and adjourned some time 
before day. The members of the house of commons are 
generally young men, dandies, and do not appear to possess the 
talents or grave qualifications that the British nation deserves. 
Tbey mostly rode on horseback to the parliament-house, and 
had white servants to hold their horses until called for. The 
streets and grounds near the parliament- house were literally 
covered with horses during the night-sessions. 

The house of lords was composed of aged men, and some 
very talented and distinguished characters. Thirty or forty 
spiritual lords, very large and fleshy, sat together in a corner of 
the house of lords, robed in white, and were silent so far as I 
witnessed the proceedings. The doors are closed, except by 
written permission from a member. After the first permission 
to each house the officers allowed me to visit either house as 
I pleased. They observe less order in their parliament than we 
do in the congress of the United States. There is often much 
noise and disorder in their sessions, but they do more and talk 
less than we do. Debates are not often indulged in longer 
than one evening on any one subject. They disapprove of 
declamatory speeches in or out of parliament. Their speeches 
do not generally fall so pleasantly on the ear as the American 
addresses, but they contain good-sense without parade. In the 
papers their speeches read better than they are delivered. 

Lord Brougham was a great luminary in the British house of 
peers in 1839, but had not that influence which his extraordi- 
nary talents ought to have commanded. I enquired the reason, 
and was informed that he was changeable, had no firmness, and 
could not be trusted. He was a great and talented orator, 
possessed a mind of great strength and compass, and he used 
the classic and pure English language to express himself He 
possessed a strong vein of caustic satire that run through almost 
all his speeches. He seemed to be misanthropic to some de- 
gree, and on the administration of the government he pqured 
out torrents of scorching invectives, and at times old English 
abuse. He was always respectful to the crown, as he called 
the queen, but her ministers were pickled down in gall and 
bitterness. Lord Broue^ham was large and rather robust and 



MY OWN TIMES. 343 

rough in his person. His dress was plain, and it seemed that 
he paid but Httle attention to it. His head was remarkably 
large to even the size of his large person, and he appeared, as 
he was, both mind and body, a powerful North Britain. Lord 
Wellington had the most influence in the house of lords, and, 
in fact, I think he wielded more power in the British nation 
than any other man or woman. He was old and feeble in 1839, 
was lean and stooped considerably. He was not an orator, but 
spoke frequently, and as Benton said of Macon, "wisely to the 
British peers." He seemed to be embarrassed when speaking, 
and held his hat in his hand before him mostly when he spoke. 

Members of both houses of the British legislature made 
speeches to convince the audience present more than they do in 
the congress of the United States. The Americans speak to 
their constituents and the public more than the British do. 

The police-officers and the police-regulations are good and 
efficient in London. Excellent good -order and peace are 
preserved in the streets both night and day. I think there 
must be rigid good-order kept, because there are so many bad 
characters in the city. If excessive discipline were not ob- 
served the bad would take the premises. In our large cities, 
•the evil-disposed are not so bad as they are in the large Euro- 
pean cities, and in the same proportion our police is not so 
rigid as theirs. 

I attended the courts of justice frequently in London. Busi- 
ness is conducted with more despatch than with us. Less talk 
and more action in their courts as well as in their parliament 
are observed than in the United States. Lord Denman pre- 
sided at the Old Bailey, and appeared to be such as his char- 
acter is, an excellent, able judge. He was mild and dignified, 
with a countenance of serenity and intelligence. 

The Juries, twenty-four in number, are sworn at the com- 
mencement of the court to try all cases submitted to them 
during the term. This saves time and does just as well as 
swearing them for each case. 

The government of the old city of London is vested in its 
own corporation, and its powers are great. At the head of the 
government is the lord mayor, whose authority is extensive. 
He is elected annually by the freemen of London, and is gener- 
ally taken from the aldermen. The lord mayor is a high 
officer in London, and at the demise of the king, he sets at the 
head of the privy council. 

The livery is a respectable body of men, composed of the 
freemen, of the city, and is the elective body of London. 

The city of London is divided into twenty-six wards, and the 
mayor and aldermen constitute the court of common-council, 
which has the power over the treasury, and of the government 
of this great city. 



344 MY OWN TIMES., 

The Lord Mayor, in 1839, ^vas an excellent officer. He had 
every morning a rabble of sinners before his court, that could 
not be equalled for vagabond appearance. The work-house was. 
generally the end of the trial. 

Plowing in England is performed with great expense and 
labor. Four, five, and six horses, at times, are hitched to the 
same plow, and three or more men to hold the plow, drive, 
etc. One or more is hanging to the beam to keep it in the 
ground. At times, they run the plow twice in the furrow, and 
put the plow much deeper in the earth than we do. The 
plowing in England is always crooked on purpose — perhaps it 
prevents the land from washing. The French are still more 
awkward than the English in plowing. 

The summers are much cooler in Europe than with us. I 
saw men reaping in England with woollen clothes on, and their 
vests buttoned. In reaping, they are slow and particular. They 
had, in 1839, no machinery to reap their grain. I saw flocks of 
Irish over in England. Whole families were engaged. 

As it was my commission to obtain a loan of money for the 
canal, and as the market in England was not very favorable, I 
considered it my duty to visit Paris to see if a loan could be 
made there. 



CHAPTER CXIV. 

Visit to France. — Dover. — Lands at Boulogne. — Monument, — French 
Diligence, a Carriage. — Journey to Paris. 

On the 14th of June, 1839, we left London for Paris, in a 
fine four-horse coach, carrying the mail for Dover. We passed 
the celebrated Gad's Hill, where Falstaff was engaged in his 
robbery. We left London in the forenoon and reached Dover 
before night. We passed the celebrated old city of Canterbury, 
which is antiquity itself All the cities in England appear 
more ancient than London, as that city grows over antiquity,, 
and the others stop at it. 

Canterbury stands on solid ground, near the fenny country,, 
that stretches out south-east, as far as the eye can extend. 

The sub-soil of the country between London and Dover is 
chalk, and as poor as poverty itself, except when it is improved 
into rich soil. This old city of Dover is one of the old Cinque 
Ports, and is situated on the British Channel in the gorge of the 
bluffs or cliffs of chalk rising on each side of it, three or four 
hundred feet high. It is a small, old city with a large popula- 
tion. The chalk bluffs are perpendicular, and frightful to be 
near the place on them where King Lear was represented in 



MY OWN TIMES. 345 

the play. I stood on the peaks of those high bluffs, and could 
see the coast of France like a dim cloud in the horizon. 

The debtors in jail in this city, had a wire extended from the 
prison to the road, and on the end of the vvire next th'e road, a 
small bell was fastened. This bell was sounded to arrest the 
passengers, who could see printed matter soliciting alms to re- 
lieve the debtors from imprisonment. 

I saw on the high bluff east of Dover, an ancient tower, said 
to have been built by Julius Caesar. It was circular, and it 
seemed time could not destroy it. The cement binding the 
rocks together was as hard as the rocks themselves. It was 
unoccupied. Other towers also stood there of more modern 
date — some said to have been built by the Saxons. The whole 
mountain around Dover is excavated for garrisons for soldiers. 
The government has dug out subteranean abodes for seven 
thousand troops. In 1805, when Bonaparte threatened the in- 
vasion of England, Dover was fortified and made a strong gar- 
rison. 

I saw also, some very large old pieces of cannon on the bluff. 
It was said one of these brass cannons could send a ball to 
Calais in France. 

Dover is an uninteresting place; we were pleased to leave it. 
All those small places live much by extortion on travellers. I 
agreed to pay our landlord all the contingencies and extras, 
provided we should have to pay nothing more until we reached 
the vessel to take us to France, but when the cab-driver got us 
to the water, near the vessel, we were compelled to pay him 
again or have a difficulty. Next we had to pay a porter to 
carry our baggage into the packet, and, lastly, we descended a 
ladder from the wharf down to the ship, and paid for the use of 
the ladder. Those extras are the trouble in travelling. I paid 
all charges to get clear of the importunity of servants, like the 
girl said, when she married the man to get rid of him. 

The packet was a strong British vessel, propelled by steam, 
and landed us at Boulogne. France, in three or four hours' sail. 
In the middle of the British Channel, we could see both shores 
of England and France with ease. 

When we landed in France, all was in a bustle, making all 
sorts of noises and uproar, after the manner of the French. It 
shows the dislike of the people to one another, when a few 
hours' sail will land a person in France from England, where 
there is no similarity of the people or their customs. I had 
been raised with the French in Illinois, and could speak their 
language, so I was at home with them. A number of women, 
with wooden-shoes on and short petticoats, attended the pas- 
sengers with hand -carts, to convey the baggage to the hotel. 
The French Government are rigid against smuggling goods, and 
are exact in examining the baggage, but the officers were polite 



346 MY OWN TIMES. 

and civil to me. They laughed, and excused me from smug- 
gling. At the custom-house my passport was received, and 
sent by mail before me to Paris. Another was given me to 
authorize us to travel to that city. Our carriage drove us to a 
fine hotel, where to enter our names, destination, business, and 
general avocation. These statements were also sent to Paris be- 
fore us. This is the caution the French Government took under 
the reign of Louis Phillippe, and that did not save him. We 
remained in Boulogne for some days, and I found the French 
masses innocent, honest, artless, and I may add, simple. They 
are kind and obliging. This city contains twenty thousand 
inhabitants, and is said to be the port where Caesar embarked 
to conquer England. 

All the cities I saw on the continent of Europe are more 
walled and fortified than in England. I presume the ocean 
defended England, while the enemy could, in olden times, 
march over the land on the continent, and, therefore, the towns 
there needed more walled defence than they did in England. 
In Boulogne, there is an upper and lower town. The upper 
was fortified, but the lower, and much the best, is built up out- 
side the old walls, and between the old town and the ocean. I 
examined, in the neighborhood of Boulogne, a site of a large 
encampment, made by Bonaparte and his army when he was 
preparing for the conquest of England. In the vicinity, Bona- 
parte commenced a monument to honor his conquest of Eng- 
land, thinking, no doubt, this monument made in advance, 
would induce public opinion to assist in accomplishing his ob- 
ject. His Austrian campaign drew him off from England. The 
monument, although unfinished, is splendid. 

A French diligence is within the list of curiosities. It can 
carry fifteen or twenty persons, and perhaps more, and at times 
has attached to it from four to eight horses. More passengers 
ride outside than within, to take the air and see the country. A 
long ladder is used to get on the top and to dismount. When 
the horses are first brought out, they squeal, paw, and snort, as 
they are not changed from their natural state. Sometimes they 
are put three or four abreast in the diligence. The French are 
a droll people. 

The beggars attend these carriages as they are going slowly 
up a hill. The poor, decrepit mortals are lodged sometimes in 
holes at the foot of the hill, and ready to crawl, creep, or walk 
by the carriage' as it mounts the eminence. The shocking sights 
of wretchedness, and the heart-rending prayers potir la charite, 
will generally obtain them som.e donations. They learn sympa- 
thetic modes of begging, so that they generally succeed to some 
amount. Begging is a trade, and acts on system. 

France is generally a fine, healthy, and beautiful country. 
The soil is, for the most part, good and productive. It is not 



MY OWN TIMES. 347 

injured by eltheir mountains or morasses to any great extent, 
and produces to the inhabitants a bountiful support. The mas- 
ses, so far as I could discover, were happy, and in return for the 
blessings the country afforded them, they very justly gave it the 
name of "La Belle France." 

Thfe road from Boulogne passes the ancient city of Abbeville, 
built by the English when they possessed the country. Mon- 
treal, another city on the road, is built on a rock, and was, in 
olden times, a place of strength. The road also passes Beau- 
vais, which is a large and ancient city. It is the capital of the 
department of the Oise. St. Denis is rather a suburb of Paris, 
being only a few miles from the great metropolis. 



CHAPTER CXV. 

City of Paris. — Public Buildings are Splendid and Brilliant. — Soldiers 
for the City Police. — Churches. — Palais Royal. — Louvre. — The 
Paintings. — Monument for Bonaparte. — Obelisk. — Parliament. — 
Garden of Plants. — Elysian Fields. 

Paris, the most important city in the world except London, 
would require volumes to describe it, and then the reader would 
have but a faint idea of it in comparison to actual examination. 
It is built on a flat on both sides of the river Seine, but mostly 
on the north side: latitude 48° 50' north, and longitude 2° 20' 
east of London. It is said to be sixteen or eighteen miles in 
circumference, and contains almost everything which the imagi- 
nation of man can conceive. Its dates its commencement in 
very remote antiquity. It is said that Paris was commenced 
first on the Island in the Seine, five hundred years before the 
conquest by the Romans, which was some years before the 
Christian era. The main aim and object of the inhabitants ot 
this city seems to be to reach the perfection of the gay, grand, 
and brilliant in everything. All the public buildings, churches, 
bridges, and triumphal arches are built more for a striking, bril- 
liant, and imposing appearance than for utility. French utility, 
in a great measure, is a splendid appearance. This principle 
runs through the whole nation, and governs them in both public 
and private transactions. This is the reason that the French 
enjoy so many holidays, and are never so well pleased as when 
they are present at some grand national exhibition. Bonaparte 
indulged them in this passion until he exhausted the country 
and was compelled to abandon it. The pleasure in the heart ot 
the Frenchman, to enjoy a victory of the grand-army over any 
other nation, but particularly the English, would induce the sol- 
diers to suffer all the privations of a campaign, and the risk of 
death itself without a murmur. 



348 MY OWN TIMES. 

The city of Paris contains upwards of a million of souls, en- 
joying life more than any other people on the globe. The great 
philosophy of the French is to enjoy pleasure in all its various 
phases and beauties. In order to accomplish this great French 
desideratum, they steer as clear of vice and crime as will secure 
them from misery in this continual career of pleasure through 
life. 

France is healthy, and exceedingly fertile, which affords the 
inhabitants a plentiful support and excellent health. These 
considerations add much to the career of French happiness. 

About fifteen hundred soldiers are the city police, who ob- 
serve peace and order at the point of the bayonet, if necessary. 
A part of the "army of the line," containing ninety thousand 
soldiers, were encamped in and near Paris when I was there, in 
1839. An attempt at revolution had recently been quelled, and 
the government was fearful of another revolt, which was the 
reason of this large army being in this vicinity. The streets 
were filled with soldiers and martial music. Public opinion has 
placed the army in France on different principles than it is 
based in Englarrd or in the United States. In France, the com- 
mon soldier is more elevated and respected than in those other 
countries. The best young men join the army in France, and 
have an opportunity to rise by merit. No corporal punishment 
is inflicted on the French soldiers. A moral and elevated senti- 
ment effects the whole object without stripes in the French 
army. The citizens, meeting the militaire in the streets of 
Paris, bow to them uncovered, with respect. The soldiers in 
the French army occupy a higher standing with their nation 
than ours do with us. This is the nature of their government, 
and is also the reason that a military life in France is the great 
highroad to honor and power, and sometimes to the throne 
itself. 

The churches in Paris are grand and splendid, and would 
require volumes to describe them. The church of "Notre 
Dame" is among the most magnificent and most ancient in the 
city. It was commenced in 1163, and the site where it stands 
was long before occupied by a heathenish house of worship. It 
is 415 feet long, 150 wide, and 150 high. Two towers are con- 
structed, rising 204 feet over each door, and are each 40 feet 
square. To the top of these towers are 289 steps, where per- 
sons may enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Paris. An 
ancient bell is hung in one of these towers weighing 92,000 lb., 
and the clapper 976 lb. It requires sixteen men to sound the 
bell. It is called Emanuel. 

"La Madeline" is another elegant and superb church, situated 
on the Boulevard Madeline. In 1806, Bonaparte changed it 
into a temple, dedicated to the glory of the French arms, but 
in 18 1 6, it was again converted into a temple of worship. This 



MY OWN TIMES. 349 

edifice is 326 feet long and 130 wide. The paintings in this 
church are splendid. Our Saviour is represented granting par- 
don to Mary Magdalene, on her knees, for her sins, and minis- 
tering angels are receiving the redeemed sinner to their bosoms. 

"St. Roch" is another temple of worship, situated on La Rue 
St. Honore. Louis XIV. laid the corner-stone of this church in 
the year 1653. It is celebrated for its purity and piety. I saw, 
in the front of this church and the surrounding buildings, the 
holes of the balls shot by Bonaparte's soldiers in the "affair oi 
the sections," as it was called, when the rabble was dispersed by 
powder and lead. 

The palaces and royal residences are constructed in this city 
with a splendor and elegance that I think stands unrivalled on 
earth. All that French taste and science, together with unlim- 
ited sums of money, could accomplish, have been expended 
upon these royal palaces. 

The Palais Royal is a building which of itself is almost a 
city. The ancestors of Louis Phillippe built it for a residence. 
At this day, it is occupied by mercantile shops, and other uses, 
down to gambling -houses. Thus has this royal residence 
fallen, and it is to be hoped that all royalty in the world may 
soon follow. 

The old palace known as the "Louvre" was to me the most 
interesting, as it contained the greatest number of fine paintings 
perhaps in the world. The works of the most celebrated mas- 
ters in the world are here exhibited, free of charge. The paint- 
ings of Michael Angelo, Vandyck, Fubens, Correggio, Amyntas, 
and others almost as celebrated, are here presented to the pub- 
lic. It is almost worth a voyage across the Atlantic to see these 
paintings. Also, are there, the paintings of our countryman, 
West: Christ healing the Sick, etc. 

In some parts of the palace are statuary in abundance, which 
stand unrivalled. Also, are exhibited the royal carpeting, woven 
in the factory of the Goblin, representing the persons and arti- 
cles of royalty. 

There is, in the city, a large plat of public ground known as 
"La Place Vendome." This piece of ground was once occupied 
by a royal hotel, but at this day it is kept for the public. In 
1806, Bonaparte erected a splendid and magnificent monument 
on this ground, in honor ot the campaign of 1805. It is formed 
on the modfel of the Pillar of Trajan at Rome, but is larger. 
The monument is circular, and one hundred and thirty-five feet 
high. It presents a grand and towering monument of the 
genius of Bonaparte, who conceived the design, and the archi- 
tects who built it. The pillar is covered with the metal of the 
cannon captured from the Russian and Austrian armies in 1805, 
and cast so as to cover the monument. On it is inscribed the 
dates of victories, the names of the armies, and the generals 



350 MY OWN TIMES. 

commanding. On the top was the statue of Bonaparte, but the 
allied armies, in 1814, shamefully took it down. In 1833, the 
French authorities replaced it, which I saw and much admired 
in 1839. 

The obelisk, brought from Luxor, in Egypt, is a great curi- 
osity. It is of a solid rock seventy-two feet high, tapering from 
the bottom to the top. It is made square of a granite rock. It 
has carved on it many hieroglyphics, and figures of birds and 
animals. The wild-goose, cranes, and many other fowls are cut 
on it. Opossums, raccoons, and other animals, are also cut on 
it. It is erected on the public ground called Concordia, where 
Louis XVI. was beheaded. This column is more ancient than 
any history on earth. 

The congress, or parliament of France, is composed of a 
house of deputies, so called, and a house of peers. The 
building in which the deputies assembled was better than the 
parliament-house in England, but not so tasty or splendid as 
the house of representatives at Washington City. 

The French capitol had galleries, but they were not open to 
all. It was decorated with more gaudy ornaments than the 
United States capitol. In it, and around about, were many 
figures and remarks concerning the revolution of 1830. 

The seats in the French hall of representatives were made 
rising one above another, like a theatre, and adjoining to the 
presiding-officer, a tribune, elevated about three feet, with steps 
up to the top, was erected, and covered nicely with carpeting. 
On this tribune, the speaker who had the floor to make a speech, 
stood and addressed the members face to face. When the pres- 
ident gave the floor to a member, that member left his seat and 
mounted the tribune. He that spoke stood on the tribune until 
the next member occupied it. 

When the house got into confusion, the presiding-officer had 
a small bell which he rattled to restore order. This seemed to 
answer the purpose — to drown the noise — and thereby preserve 
decorum. The orators in the French halls did not speak as 
long as they do in our congress, but they seemed much excited 
and enthusiastic in their legislation, as well as in most other 
things. 

The Garden of Plants is a great curiosity. It contains eighty- 
four acres of ground, and six thousand five hundred different 
species of plants. The garden occupies high ground in part of 
it, and on it are planted numbers of trees of foreign growth. I 
saw a cedar, which Buffbn, it is said, brought from Palestine 
when it was small. The branches extended out from the tree 
many feet. 

Some part of the garden was crowded with animals — the 
giraffe, elephants, lions, hyenas, etc. In another section, almost 
a numberless amount of birds were caged. 



MY OWN TIMES. 35I 

The Champ d' Ely sec — the Elysian Fields — are situated to the 
west of the city, anc present, on Sunday evenings, almost every 
species of amusement and every sort of people that ever ex- 
isted. They contain fifteen hundred acres, and are planted with 
elms, until a fine shade is made in the summer. 

A' good band of musicians, sixty or more, are employed by 
the government to play the most favorite airs on Sunday eve- 
nings to the public, and in this field, almost every antic, trick, 
or mountebank-prank is performed. Dancing, music, harlequin- 
tricks, etc., are exhibited. No pen or tongue can describe this 
place of innocent merriment. All classes ot people appear here, 
from the grave and dignified senator to the lowest menial in 
Paris. The high and the low of the French mix more together, 
and particularly in this common resort, than either the English 
or Americans do under similar circumstances. 



CHAPTER CXVI. 

Exhibition of the Arts. — Horses, Carts, and Plows in France. — River 
Seine and the Bridges. — The Boulevard. — Mont de Moulin. — Palace 
of St. Cloud. — French and English Ideas of Free Government. — 
Napoleon Much Respected. — Catacombs. — Weak Wine. — Dancing 
on the Sabbath. 

In the summer of 1839, an exhibition of all the nicely man- 
ufactured articles in France was presented to the public. I 
think this exhibition gave rise to the Crystal Palace in London, 
and the World's Fair in New York. 

It was truly astonishing to see the various articles manufac- 
tured with so much tastie and talent as were there presented to 
the public in Paris. The building, which was temporary, covered 
acres of ground, and was erected in the Elysian Fields. Sol- 
diers were stationed in this building to preserve peace and 
order. An immense concourse of people attended every day, 
to examine the various articles exhibited, and without charge. 

The people in France are far behind the Americans in their 
carriages, horses, and harness. They never change the male 
horses, as heretofore stated, so that at times these natural ani- 
mals make much noise and squealing when they are being put 
in harness. The horses are not so fine as the English or Ameri- 
can stock. The French horses are low, heavy, and strong, and 
many of them are roans, raised in Normandy. No iron chain- 
traces are used. They have rawhide-leather twisted, and plated 
nicely, into traces. The reason they use these traces, they say, 
is that they are stronger than iron chains and much lighter. I 
think the true reason is that it is the old custom, and they have 
not the courage to change it. They use, mostly, carts; a wagon 



352 MY €>\VN TIMES. 

is scarcely ever seen in France. The carts are made strong, 
and have hitched to them more or less number of horses, ac- 
cording to the necessity. They seldom use a line in France 
more than in England. Sometimes two or three horses are 
hitched abreast in a cart, but mostly, the horses are attached to 
the cart in tandem style, and no line, the horse behind man- 
aging him before. I saw in Paris heavy loads of rock hauled 
in carts, but this branch of industry is far behind the United 
States. The French in Illinois, fifty years since, observed simi- 
lar customs. 

The farming and plowing are still farther behind us. The 
plow is unimproved in the old country. It is exactly the same 
class of plows the French used in Illinois fifty years since. A 
small piece of flat iron was fixed on the forepart of the plow, 
which went into the ground, and was the only metal about it. 
They used wheels with an axle, on which the beam of the plow 
was placed. The soil in France is loose and fertile, so these 
instruments and much other labor produced good crops. 

The Seine, a small river, passes through the city of Paris, and 
is about two hundred yards wide. This river is boxed up with 
cut rocks, so that it would appear to run through a rock-chan- 
nel; and at places, slopes were cut in the sides to let horses, 
carts, etc., down to the water. At places, this river was literally 
lined with women, and their clothes, washing. It seems that 
the people of Paris wash in the open air, at least in summer. 

The bridges over this river are numerous and beautiful. 
Some are made of rock, but mostly out of iron, either wrought 
or cast. The iron is painted, which gives the bridges a gay and 
beautiful appearance. Hoops of iron are made strong enough 
to serve for arches on which to rest the bridges. Much art and 
talent are displayed in constructing these bridges. 

In ancient times, a strong wall was built around the city of 
Paris for protection. This wall was wide and strong, but in pro- 
cess of time, the people settled outside of it, so that the city was 
built on both sides of the wall. As the wall, which was called 
the Boulevard, was not needed for defence, it was taken away, 
and the place where it extended around the city was converted 
into a magnificent street or avenue. This street is now the most 
elegant and fashionable of any in Paris. 

According to my observation, all the ancient cities in Europe 
were made without any general plan at the beginning. The 
streets of the old cities, and old parts of cities, are mostly 
crooked and narrow. At times, houses are seen situated in the 
middle of the streets. 

A place in Paris is called A^ont de Moulm, that is, the Mill 
Mound. This is a rise in the city. No mill is now on it, but 
the name remains. I saw the streets from almost all directions 
lead to the summit of this mound. The houses were first built 



MY OWN TIMES. 353 

on the roads to the mill on this mound, and the city extended 
around them, continuing the roads for streets as first settled. 

St. Cloud is a famous village, situated on the high bluff of the 
Seine, five miles south-west of Paris. It is as old, almost, as 
antiquity itself In 533, two kings of France murdered their 
two. nephews here, and the third nephew, Cloud, was so pious 
that the people sainted him, and thus the place is called St. 
Cloud for him. 

In 1799, Bonaparte, in this village, turned out of doors the 
council of five hundred. I saw the house where the members 
sat. In 1 8 14, Blucher, the Prussian general, took possession of 
the palace of St. Cloud. He kennelled his dogs in the cham- 
bers, and lay in the royal beds drunk, with his boots and 
spurs on. 

I was frequently present with members of parliament, and 
others, in Paris, when the discussion was excited and rather 
refractory. Not long previous, symptoms of revolution had 
appeared in the city, and the people had not yet quieted down. 
The question was often discussed, in the animated French man- 
ner, how far the turbulent assemblage of the citizens could be 
tolerated before the military had a right to disperse them. 
They would not adopt the opinion that, in time of peace, the 
military must be subordinate to the civil authority. I saw there 
that they had not the proper ideas of freedom. A man must 
breathe for years the air arising from our Constitution, and the 
free institutions of America, before he can enjoy the proper 
notions of liberty. The moment a man of any observation sets 
his foot in Europe, he will see all things tending to depress the 
people and elevate the government. The masses there, and the 
animals they work, are treated almost alike by the nobility and 
the officers of government. In the United States, the current 
is acting the other way — to elevate the people and to keep the 
government in its proper spMlre. 

I conversed repeatedly with the masses in England, France, 
and Belgium. They have very little knowledge of their govern- 
ments. They had nothing to do in it, and did not expect to 
have. The French were ready for any change, without know- 
ing or caring for the result. They said they could not be 
worsted. Yet, these same French masses enjoyed the vanity 
of believing that France was the greatest country on the globe, 
which made them, to some extent, happy. The masses in 
France are always willing for a war. The upper-ten will not 
work or keep shops, but are always prepared for war or a dan- 
cing-saloon. When I was there, they panted for an opportunity 
to chastise Prussia, for their army, under Blucher, having placed 
their feet on French soil in the distresses of France. The gov- 
ernment wisely restrained them from fighting for a shadow. 

The character of the old emperor, Napoleon, was greatly 



354 MY OWN TIMES. 

respected when I was there. Everywhere, public and private, 
and in public and private discourses, his actions were extolled ta 
the skies. This popularity of the uncle has placed his nephew 
in supreme power. The nephew has great talents, but not 
equal to Napoleon himself. It is the misfortune of France that 
Paris has such power over the country. This city regulates the 
whole nation in politics as well as other things. Generally men 
of talents, raised throughout the provinces, soon assemble and 
live in Paris, which is the main reason this city has such un- 
bounded influence over the country. 

The catacombs deserve a place in my OWN TIMES. In very 
ancient times, a quarry of rock, with deep and large excavations, 
was made, south and adjoining the city of Paris. Some rock 
and a covering of earth were left over this excavation, and in 
process of time the city extended over the quarry. The en- 
trance into this excavation had been filled up for ages, but it 
was discovered that houses and streets were sinking, and one 
house sunk ninety feet into the abyss. An examination was. 
made, and pillars and props were set in to support the city, 
which was built over the quarry. Stairs are constructed to this 
subterranean abode, and human bones of millions of people are 
deposited there. They are cleansed and put away as regular as 
possible. In this receptacle of the dead, the human bones are 
now safe and commodious. The descent is ninety feet to the 
floor, and then a person may walk until he is tired in this char- 
nel-house. 

The custom of the Parisians is, in many things, singular to us. 
Many families and single persons scarcely ever remain at home 
an hour, except when they are at sleep. They eat at restau- 
rants and cafes, and loiter about in the shades to see sights all 
day. They intermix so much together, that there is no excite- 
ment to have thousands togetho^ In the summer evenings^ 
multitudes convene to hear the music played at the balcony 
of the Palace of the Tuilleries, others loiter in the picture-gal- 
leries, and such places of public resort. I saw no intemperance 
in France, if idleness be not intemperance. 

The citizens of France, so far as I saw, indulged none at all 
in strong drink; they use claret and weak wine, so far as I dis- 
covered. They drink very little water, and no more than they 
do in London. One people drink much beer, while the other 
drink weak wine, and in both places they were astonished that 
I preferred water to either. In France, by some chemical pro- 
cess, bottles of water were frozen into ice in a short time to mix 
with water to drink. 

The English enjoy a better government than the French, yet 
there is more equality among the French people than there is 
among the English. There is much practical equality in France 
among the people. In England, there is more distinction among 



MY OWN TIMES. 355 

the different classes, in the common intercourse between man 
and man, than in France. There is always practised in France, 
a kind of famihar respect and treatment to the servants and 
working- classes that we do not see in England. There is a 
wide gap between the upper and lower classes in Great Britain. 

I travelled over the country south of Paris, and saw how the 
masses of people spend a sabbath in that country. In the city 
as well as in the country, there is much more animation, bustle, 
and excitement on a Sunday than during the rest of the week. 
The shops and the churches, as the masses please to indulge in, 
are open on Sunday. Mostly the grand reviews of the army, 
and elections, are conducted on that day. The young people, 
and frequently the old, in the country meet after church, and 
dance for hours on a Sunday evening. They generally dance 
under the shade of trees on beautiful grass-plats, and have their 
meetings without much expense or trouble. 

The masses of the French are innocent, honest, gay, light- 
hearted, and thoughtless, full of amusement and merriment, 
while a part of the people are the most learned and scientific 
philosophers. Many of the most wonderful inventions and dis- 
coveries have been achieved by the French. The hieroglyphics 
of Egypt have been deciphered by a Frenchman. 



CHAPTER CXVII. 

Left Paris. — Brussels. — Antwerp. — Cathedral at Antwerp. — Voyage to 
London. — Windsor Castle. — The Curses of Monarchy. — Partial Loan 
of Money from the Banker, John Wright. — Travel from London to 
Bath and Bristol. — Voyage in the "Great Western" home to the 
United States. — A Storm on the Ocean. 

I LEFT Paris, and many friends there, with regret, as the time 
I spent in this extraordinary city was quite interesting and 
agreeable. We left for Brussels, which is two hundred and 
thirteen miles from Paris. We passed over a beautiful and fer- 
tile tract of country, by the renowned cities Cambay, Valen- 
ciennes, Mons, and others. Cambay is celebrated as being the 
residence of the Archbishop Fenelon, who wrote "Telemachus." 

Brussels is the flourishing capital of Belgium, and contains 
one hundred and ten thousand souls. 

The inhabitants of Belgium are similar to the French in man- 
ners, customs, and personal appearance. They mostly speak 
the French language, and are, for the most part, Roman Catho- 
lics. This city seemed to be improving and growing faster than 
any other city I saw in Europe. It is a gay and lively place. 
The railroad, twenty-five miles to Antwerp, adds much to the 
commercial facilities of this city. I saw many splendid public 



356 MY OWN TIMES. 

edifices in Brussels, built on the Gothic order of architecture. 
The paintings are excellent. The toological gardens are filled 
with rare animals. 

The country between Brussels and Antwerp is level, with a 
fine black soil, and produces a great abundance. It resembles 
the American Bottom. 

Antwerp is an ancient city, and was one of the Hanseatic 
League. It is situated on a plain near the river Scheldt. This 
river is narrow but deep. It is navigable for large vessels to the 
ocean. 

The cathedral in this city is very large, and appears to have 
commenced almost even with time itself It is 500 feet long, 
250 broad, and 360 high. Its steeple, or tower, is 470 feet high, 
with 622 steps to the top. As I went up this tower, at various 
places I saw men repairing it. It made one giddy to look down 
from the top. This church was finished in the year 15 18, and 
has in its belfry 99 bells, as I was informed, the largest weigh- 
ing thousands of pounds. Charles the Fifth, emperor of Ger- 
many, made a present of this bell to the church. 

We travelled from Brussels to Antwerp over an excellent 
railroad. In the harbor of Antwerp, I saw the stars and stripes 
of our beloved country — the United States — on a vessel; and 
after being some time absent from the sight, this spectacle made 
my heart bound with joy for "the land of the free and the home 
of the brave." 

On the 7th July, of this year, we set sail down the Scheldt in 
a steamer for old England. We passed through a rich, level 
country from Antwerp to the sea, where we saw two old towns, 
Ostend and Flushing. The next day, at 9 o'clock, we reached 
London. The country on the north of the Thames is beauti- 
ful, but on the south, it seemed to be a low, fenny country. 

While in England, I visited Vv^indsor Castle, which is twenty- 
one miles west of London, and is reached by the western rail- 
road. This castle and royal residence were built by William 
the Conqueror, in the eleventh century, and have been much 
improved down to the present time. The buildings and ap- 
pendages cover twelve acres of land. This was the ancient 
cemetery of royalty, ai)d has been much improved, so that in 
1 8 10, it was made the general burying-ground for the royal 
family. The castle is erected on the top of the bluff of the 
Thames, and overlooks the city of Windsor, made so famous 
by the "Merry Wives of Windsor." At the top of the castle 
is an extensive view of the country in all directions, which is 
highly improved and splendid. The grand park here contains 
two thousand acres, and is embellished in every possible man- 
ner. On the top of the bluff of the Thames, and adjoining the 
castle, is the most elegant and ample terrace in Europe, it is 
said. This is intended for the promenade-ground of the royal 



MY OWN TIMES. 357 

family, and is situated so hi.£^h that much of the country up and 
down the Thames can be seen trom it. . 

On examining these princety estabhshments, with the enor- 
mous sums of money expended to make and sustain them, it 
is strange that the people of Great Britain ever did, or do now. 
submit to such imposition. Millions and millions must toil and 
sweat to sustain this royal paegentry. It is revolting to an 
American, who has the principles of free government, and all 
the blessings arising from it, instilled into his heart, to witness 
these outrages on mankind in Europe. These parks are reserved 
from the use of the people for the pleasures of royalty, when 
thousands are starving for bread. Many intelligent persons in 
England know these impositions, but are afraid to attempt a 
revolution. They say that a worse system might be riveted on 
them. The masses in Europe are not sufficiently intelligent in 
the science of government to effect a revolution with safety. 
Many know they have the power, but are afraid if they let it 
loose that it might sweep all before it, right and wrong together. 
I think the people are improving slowly, and they receive this 
political information mostly from the United States. The 
intercourse between America and Europe is so speedy and so 
much, that the science of self-government will, in the end, be 
forced on the people of the old world. It is a singular contrast, 
in a few days' sail, to witness the people in one country enjoy- 
ing all the blessings of a free government, a free exercise of 
their religion, and all other rights and privileges, and the other 
people not enjoying any freedom whatever. They are con- 
sidered no better by the government than the beasts of burden, 
having no voice in the government, and are bound to support a 
religion that many of them utterly condemn. The human 
family deserve a better fate than they experience in the old 
country. It is the duty of as many citizens of America as can 
leave home with propriety, to travel and witness the oppression 
and tyranny heaped on the human family in other countries. 
It will endear the government of the Union more to its citizens, 
and make them know the very important position the United 
States hold over human destiny. 

Judge Young, having arrived in London, a|id being one of the 
commissioners to make the canal-loan, I considered that my 
remaining in the city much longer was useless, and therefore 
prepared for my return home. 

We had partially made a loan of John Wright, a celebrated 
banker of London, which Judge Young concluded after my 
return to the Uijited States. Mr. Wright was an excellent man, 
honest and upright. We received some of the loan from him, 
as we agreed, but both he and our State failed to comply with 
the contract. 

All being ready, we left London on the 23d of August, and 



358 MY OWN TIMES. 

reached Bristol the same evening. We passed Bath, a large 
city built on the Devon. In this section of England the land 
was better than common. It wks on a lime-stone substratum^ 
and was good. 

Bristol, in olden times, was a great commercial city, but Liv- 
erpool has obtained the commerce, to the injury of Bristol. I 
saw a great many rings of iron fastened in the rocks below 
Bristol, to which vessels were tied, but they are measurably 
occupied at present. 

It was late one evening, when small steamers conveyed the 
passengers and their baggage from Bristol to the steamship 
"Great Western," which was lying off in the bay several miles 
from the city. In the embarkation, much confusion, tears, and 
some sorrow, were seen, and by some felt, I presume. We set 
sail, and bid the old world a long farewell. 

There are some things to admire in Europe, and much more to 
condemn. The governments are oppressive, and the people are 
also so crowded, that it is impossible for the masses to enjoy 
life as well as a free people. 

We experienced, on the voyage to the United States, a terri- 
ble storm, but the noble craft, the "Great Western," rode it out 
triumphantly. No one can describe a storm at sea. The wind 
on the ocean has so much force that it is almost irresistible. It 
is the yielding of the vessel to the violence of the storm that 
saves the ship. This tornado lasted for several days, and at 
times the gale was so severe that the engine of the steamer was 
stopped. Lamentations, shrieks, and sorrow filled the cabin of 
the vessel, while a few reckless men continued at a card-table 
which was loaded with gold. 

The storm subsided, and the voyage became pleasant and 
interesting. It is strange to see, on a fine evening, the phos- 
porus sparkling on the waves as they break on the sides of the 
vessel. No accident occurred, and we landed safely in New 
York, after a speedy passage over the Atlantic. We stopped a 
short time at quarantine-ground, a few miles from New York, 
but the health-officer discovered no sickness on board, and we 
landed with grateful hearts to God and with great joy on reach- 
ing again the Unit^ States. 

Being in Europe all summer, the houses in the city of New 
York, when I reached it, looked much more gay and brilliant 
than those in the old country, but the buildings in our cities 
appeared generally small to those in Europe. 

In a few days after my arrival in the United States, I returned 
to Illinois, and made a report of my mission to Gov. Carlin, 
wliich he approved. The State paid my expenses all but two 
hundred dollars of my own funds, which I used for my ex- 
penses, but I never received one cent of the two hundred 
dollars, or anything for my services. Thus ends my tour in 
Europe. 



MY OWN TIMES. 359 



CHAPTER CXVIII. 

The Mormons. — Sketch of Joseph Smith, the Founder. — Pretended 
Vision. — The Angel. — Plates of Metal. — Translation. — Book of Mor- 
irion. — First Church Established. — Similarity of Smith to Mahomet 
and Cromwell. 

In all the great events and revolutions in the various nations 
of the earth, nothing surpasses the extraordinary history of the 
Mormons. The facts in relation to this singular people are so 
strange, so opposite to common-sense, and so great and impor- 
tant, that they would not obtain our belief if we did not see the 
•events transpire before our eyes. No argument, or mode of 
reasoning, could induce any one to believe that in the nine- 
teenth century, in the United States, and in the blaze of science, 
literature, and civilization, a sect of religionists could arise on 
.delusion and imposition. But such are the facts, and we are 
forced to believe them. This sect, amid persecutions and perils 
of all sorts, has reached almost half a million of souls, scattered 
over various countries, within twenty-five or thirty years. They 
are fast increasing, and what will be their destin'^ no one can 
foretell. 

In the sixth century, when Mahomet commenced his extra- 
ordinary career, his own nation, the Arabs, and the surrounding 
people, were ignorant and superstitious. The Christians, in 
the days of Mahomet, were also plunged into utter darkness, 
and had almost reached the degraded condition of worshipping 
idols. One other element in the career of Mahomet was his 
great and transcendent talents. Very few men ever existed 
with a stronger or more comprehensive mind than the Arabian 
prophet possessed. His ambition and talents, together with the 
ignorant and degraded condition of the country, enabled him to 
achieve this great victory of the Crescent over the Cross. 

The same may be said, to some extent, in relation to Oliver 
Cromwell, of England. He and his illustrious predecessor, Ma- 
homet, possessed talents of extraordinary capacity. It is also 
acknowledged that the masses in England, at this day, were 
more ignorant and credulous than they are in that kingdom, or 
in the United States, at the present time. Under these circum- 
stances, it was much more reasonable for those great men, Ma- 
homet and Cromwell, to establish new sects of religion than 
it was for Joseph Smith to form, in the United States, a new 
sect. TKe latter prophet possessed only ordinary talents, and 
was forced to commit the fraud of discovering the Mormon 
book before the eyes of his intelligent countrymen, when not 
one in the nation, or Smith himself, believed the statement that 
metal plates, on which the Mormon book was corfipojed, were 



360 MY OWN TIMES. 

found in the rocks of New York. This story is too silly and 
contemptible for serious reflection, and yet almost half a mil- 
lion of the human family claim belief in it, and a great many 
of them will suffer martyrdom for their faith. No one can fore- 
tell the destiny of this sect, and it would be blasphemy, at this, 
day, to compare its founder to the Saviour, but, nevertheless, it 
may become veritable history, in a thousand years, that the 
standing and character of Joseph Smith, as a prophet, may 
rank equal to any of the prophets who have preceded him. 

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon sect of religion, 
was born on the 23d day of December, 1805, in Sharon, Wind- 
sor County, in the State of Vermont. His parents were obscure 
and poor, and their son Joseph received but a very limited edu- 
cation. When Smith was ten years old, his parents moved to 
Palmyra, Wayne County, in the State of New York, where- 
young Smith was raised to manhood. It is stated that Smith 
possessed a wild and romantic turn of mind, and that he and 
his father were what is called "water-witches." This class of 
men say that they can discover where water can be found by 
digging. They use a forked branch of a tree, or bush, and hold 
it in their hands, the fork upward. They walk over the place 
where they desire to find water, and where they cross the stream 
of water in the earth, tluy say the forked stick, by the attrac- 
tion of the water, will turn in their hands without their eftbrt 
down to the stream. 

The historians of Smith say that one Sidney Rigdon, a cun- 
ning, talented man, concerted with Smith to found a new sect 
of religion, and that Smith was to be a prophet. It is also 
stated that Rigdon became possessed of a religious romance, 
written by a Presbyterian clergyman then in the State of Ohio. 
This book, now known as the Book of Mormon, gives a long, 
detailed account of the ten lost tribes of Israel. How they 
travelled through Asia, and at last settled in North America. 
Christ came and preached his gospel to them in America, and 
was sacrificed similar to his execution at Jerusalem. But to 
give the romance an air of mystery and miracle, which seems 
to be a necessary element in all religions to make the people 
revere and respect it. Smith and Rigdon gave out that they 
had, by Divine inspiration, discovered metal plates near Pal- 
myra, in the State of New York, on which was recorded the 
Book of Mormon. After discovering the plates, the translation 
must be based, also, on miracle and mystery. 

Smith became interested for the salvation of his soul, and 
prayed fervently in a grove near his father's house in Palmyra, 
and at last the darkness gave way and the light descended 
from heaven until the whole country illuminated with a daz- 
zling brilliancy that was indescribable. 

At another time, by his own statements, he was praying ia 



MY OWN TIMES. 361 

a room, and a great light broke out on him, and an Angel ot 
God stood before him, saying that the Messiah was at hand, 
and that God had chosen him. Smith, to be his instrument on 
earth to carry out the will and works of heaven. The appear- 
ance of the Angel was on the 27th of September, 1827; and at 
the same time the Angel delivered to Smith the Urim and 
Thummim by which he could understand and translate the 
hieroglyphics, or Egyptian characters written on the metal 
plates. The Urim and Thummim were two transparent stones 
found in the box with the plates, and were the talismen by 
which the ancient prophets could understand the past, present, 
and future events. The Angel directed Smith to find the metal 
plates in a stone box on a hill-side, a little under the surface ot 
the ground, near the village of Manchester, between Palmyra 
and Canandaigua, New York. 

When Smith came in the presence of the metal plates, he 
said he was filled with the Holy Ghost, and the same Angel 
said: "Look" — and he beheld the devil and many of his train. 

Smith took the plates to the northern part of Pennsylvania, 
and by the aid of his pretended inspiration and the Urim 
and Thummim he translated them, which formed the Book of 
Mormon. 

Smith procured men to certify that they saw the plates, and 
that the translation was by inspiration and the power of God, 
as the Angel declared the same to them. 

The Book of Mormon did not militate against the Holy 
Scriptures, but was intended to carry them out in the ancient 
and more holy manner than they were understood and prac- 
tised on at the present time. 

The Mormons preached the doctrine, and it was believed by 
the devotees, that the power of ancient Christianity was again to 
be revived, and that the gift of prophecy and of an unknown 
language, together with the power to heal the sick by laying 
hands on them, was given to them. 

Under this system. Smith prophesied and made many reve- 
lations. Many of the disciples spoke a kind ot gibberish, as an 
unkiiown tongue, and others laid hands on the sick to heal 
them, together with the prayer "of faith." It was a necessary 
prerequisite to effect any of the above miracles, that the party 
performing must, like all religionists, possess implicit faitJi. 

By virtue of this system, and Smith's incessant labors, many 
were converted to the Mormon faith; and on the 6th of April, 
1830, Smith and followers organized the first Mormon church, 
in the town of Manchester, State of New York. It is now only 
a little more than twenty-five years since the first church was 
organized, and there are supposed to be half a million of this 
strange people at the present time. The success of the Mor- 
mons is the greatest wonder that has occurred in the nineteenth 
century. 



362 MY OWN TIMES. 

I have heard them preach often. They recognize the script- 
ures, and take their texts from them. They act with a fervor, 
zeal, and confidence in their religious exercises that has great 
influence on the pubHc. People frequently attend their worship 
from curiosity, but soon become interested and frequently join 
them. They were — or at any rate, appeared to be — honest and 
sincere in their faith and worship. They suffered persecution 
for their religion, and even death itself, which did not in the 
least arrest their onward course. Their sincerity and zeal, and 
having the scriptures for their foundation, are the cause of their 
success to a great extent. 

Joseph Smith and his followers pursued the same course that 
both Mahomet and Cromwell did. Mahomet had the good- 
sense to recognize the Christian scriptures and the divinity of 
the Saviour. He never pretended that the Son of Man was an 
imposter: only that he, Mahomet, was the greater prophet. 
Also the Arabian prophet was exceedingly devout, zealous, and 
ardent in his devotions. He found the Christian world at the 
time ignorant and torn to pieces by various sects and schisms 
which advanced his cause. The Koran, like the Book of Mor- 
mon, contains excellent moral principles, that teach a pure and 
unsullied code of ethics. The scriptures of Islamism teach the 
ways of pure morals on earth, and no doubt will be a guide to 
a happy immortality. 

The same religious career was taken by Cromwell. He 
taught no new or strange faith or precepts different from the 
Holy Scriptures. He recognized the holy writings, but, like 
Mahomet, contended that the religion and mode of worship 
imder them were too dull and languid: that the sermons by the 
the legitimate church were weak and "unsavory," as they were 
called at that day. The extreme zeal and infatuation of the 
Cromwell Order gained them proselytes and numbers. The 
•exceedingly strict and rigid exercises in their religion gave for 
the devotees the name of "Puritans," of which they are proud 
to this day. The fanatical ardor and zeal, on sound moral 
principles, which were found in the Koran and in the Holy 
Scriptures enabled both Mahommed and Cromwell to establish 
religious societies that have astonished the world. Smith has 
followed in the footsteps of "his illustrious predecessors," Ma- 
homet and Cromwell. The Mormon prophet recognized the 
Holy Scriptures, and like Mahomet added to them. Like 
the Mussulman, he was exceedingly ardent and zealous in his 
devotions. Smith caught the rabble first, but numbers soon 
gained the sect standing and character. 

At the foundation of all these sects are the immutable and 
immaculate principles embodied in the Christian Scriptures. 
These precepts and principles are as ancient and as enduring as 
the throne itself They emanated from heaven, and can not 



MY OWN TIMES. 363 

be obliterated by puny man, more than he can extinguish the 
light. Silly man may darken his room, but the effulgence of 
light will still shine on. So with the pure and holy precepts 
contained in the Scriptures. They may be arrested or per- 
verted, but they still exist, and will be enduring to the end of 
time'. These principles teach at this day the morals and ethics 
of the Chinese, and were the same that governed the morals 
and religion of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, in their 
day. They are like the principles of mathematics, perfect, 
pure, and immutable. This code of morals, which is embodied 
with so much purity and holiness in the New Testament, gov- 
erns all sects of religion, although they may assume as many 
names as the alphabet can express. Without this foundation, 
the sects are like chaff before the wind, and must perish. 



CHAPTER CXIX. 

Mormons Called Themselves the "Latter-Day Saints." — Ardent and 
Devout. — Mormon Emigration to the Far West and Kirtland. — Civil 
War in Missouri. — Horrid Murder of a Mormon Boy. — The Mor- 
mons Expelled from Missouri. 

The organization of the Mormon church is very strong and 
efficient, giving to the leaders complete power over the persons 
and property of the members, and also over the conscience and 
spiritual matters of their religion. No prince or potentate has 
more power in an absolute monarchy than the leaders of the 
Mormons have under their church -government. This is one 
great element that enables the various leaders and churches, 
scattered over Europe and America, to act as a unit. The 
organization of the Jesuits was not more complete, powerful, 
and absolute than that of the Mormons. 

In 1836, by a general council of the leaders and members, the 
attractive and popular name of Latter-Day Saints was given 
to the Mormons, which they have retained to this day. They 
call themselves the "Latter-Day Saints." 

After the church was organized, preachers were sent through- 
out the whole Union to preach the gospel, and in it was al- 
ways tinctured some of the principles of their church. Their 
preachers acted with great devotion, sincerity, and meekness, 
which made them many converts. They said it was their creed 
to suffer persecution, and even death, for their faith in Mor- 
monism. 

A/'hen they waxed strong in their original site in Wayne 
County, New York, *id perhaps they and their neighbors not 
so friendly, but about the year 1836, they established two places 



364 MY OWN TIMES. 

of resort; one at Kirtland, in the State of Ohio, and the other 
at the city of the "Far West," in Missouri. The decree went 
forth from the prophet. Smith, founded on a revelation, that 
all the scattered flocks of the Mormons should assemble at the 
city of the Far West. It was established four miles from the 
Missouri River, and about the same distance from Independence, 
in Jackson County, Missouri. It was astonishing in so short a 
time, thirteen hundred men, women, and children assembled 
at this Zion, where they intended to make a great city and 
temple. Soon after their arrivival in Missouri, they organized 
the "Danite Band," which was first called the "Daughters of 
Zion." About five hundred men, well armed, were first organ- 
ized in this band. Companies were established, containing 
fifteen and twenty men, with officers over them. This corps of 
five hundred men were efficient and courageous, acting under 
fanatical impulses. The church was exceedingly severe against 
any Mormon backsliders, and called them "Buzzards." These 
Buzzards were held in bad odor and driven off. 

Such a collection of people, organized with a community and 
residing among the ordinary citizens, inhabiting a new coun- 
try, could not long remain in friendship with their neighbors. 
Human nature with its frailties will not permit two classes of 
people, of such different interests and feelings, to remain in 
peace with each other for any length of time. False tales were 
told on each other, and other causes of quarrels existed, until 
the flame burst out into open violence and civil war. In all 
such quarrels both parties are about equally guilty. In this 
civil war many petty acts of violence were committed by both 
parties, and some blood shed. 

The main body of the Mormons remained in the city of the 
"Far West." They had purchased a large tract of land and 
had improved it to some considerable extent. The women and 
children took refuge in this city, but neither sex or infancy 
saved them from the common crime of Mormonism. 

It is said that the prophet, with a company of the "Danites," 
marched into Davis County, Missouri, to quell a mob, but made 
war on the people. In fact, both parties assumed the character 
of mobs and rioters, and acted as such. 

The most atrocious and dastardly massacre was committed 
- at Hawn's mill, where a defenceless party of Mormons were 
attacked by an armed body of the State troops, and sixteen 
Mormons, including many women and children, were inhumanly 
murdered. Defenceless and unoffending children were included 
in this butchery. 

The following heart-rending narrative is published in a book 
by a respectable and truthful author. Professor John Russell, of 
Bluff Dale, of a scene that shows a state of society in Missouri 
that is not often equalled. This is tl.c narrative: 



MY OWN TIMES. 365 

"Mary, in the midst of the furious assault, continued to hide 
little Eddy behind the forge of a blacksmith shop that stood next 
door to their dwelling. Eddy, who had grown to be a boy ot 
unusual intelligence and manliness of character for his age, 
begged hard to be permitted to stand by the side of his mother 
and share her fate, but this the anxious parent refused. Hardly 
had the boy been securely placed in that covert, when his 
father's dwelling was fiercely assailed, and Merrick, pierced with 
no less than four balls, fell across his own door-sill. Mary had 
just raised the head of the dying man in her lap, and heard 
his last sigh, when a cry of exultation rose from the adjoining 
blacksmith shop. Eddy had been discovered and dragged forth 
by a young man, whose real name we shall conceal under that 
of Vorne. Mary, with all the energy of her soul, implored them 
to spare her child, her only child, all that was left to her wid- 
owed heart, pointing to her husband who lay dead at her feet 
in a pool of blood. But Eddy, even in this fearful hour, dis- 
dained all supplications for his life, proudly drew up his form to 
its utmost height and said: I am an American. Po^r mistaken, 
deluded child i He had read the history of his country, and 
vainly supposed the very name oi America would throw around 
him a shield gf adamant; but the proud claims of the boy, 
and the wild pleadings of the mother were alike disregarded. 
Vorne replied, vvith a coarse, fiendish laugh: Kill the yonng 
wolves and there will be no old ones. Saying this he coolly and 
deliberately brought his rifle within a foot of the child's head 
and blew out nis brains, sprinkling the clothes of the mother 
with the blood of her own child. 

"Let no one ever suppose for an instant that the scene just 
described is a fiction. For the honor of manhood we do most 
devoutly wish it was. But we assure the reader that every 
incident related, however revolting, is strictly true. The slaugh- 
ter of the father, the concealment and discovery of the boy, his 
proud claim, "/ am an American," the reply of Vorne, and the 
blowing out of the child's brains before the eyes of the agonized 
mother, all occurred just as it is here related. No human con- 
sideration would have tempted the writer to fabricate a fiction 
so revolting; but it is true and should be told.' 

Governor Boggs had ordered out a force of three thousand 
militia, and with the proper officers surrounded the city of the 
Far West, and captured it without either a battle or much 
bloodshed. 

History informs us that Governor Boggs, of Missouri, assumed 
the power to expel from the State the Mormons, and did do it. 
He had no such constitutional power, and an assumption of the 
power was a species of a mob. 

The prophet and many of the leaders were tried by court- 
martial, and were sentenced to be shot. General Donovan was 



366 MY OWN TIMES. 

present, and expostulated with the officers and soldiers, and 
had the moral and physical courage of a true American to resist 
with success, the execution of this murderous sentence. 



CHAPTER CXX. 

Mormons Assembled in Nauvoo in Great Numbers. — Cause of Dissat- 
isfaction. — Excited Parties. — Mormons Could Turn the Scale. — 
Joseph Smith Introduced to the President. — His Person. — No Re- 
lief from Congress. — Charters from the Illinois Legislature. 

In the year 1839 ^^^ 1840, the Mormons purchased a tract 
of land of Dr. Garland, where Nauvoo now stands, in Hancock 
County, State of Illinois, and assembled there in great numbers. 
At the election of 1840, they voted in this one precinct three 
thousand strong. The site where Nauvoo was built was oc- 
cupied by a small town known as Commerce. 

In the above year there existed with the people of Illinois a 
strong sympathy and friendly feeling for the Mormons. This 
arose from the persecution which they endured in the State of 
Missouri. Many of the most intelligent part of the community 
considered the Mormons to have received bad treatment in 
Missouri, and encouraged their settlement in Illinois; but some 
dreaded their location in the State for fear of a collision, such 
as was experienced afterward, and their expulsion from the 
State. I was one among the few who doubted the propriety 
of their settlement in Illinois, and often remarked that the two 
classes of people, the two communities could not reside near 
each other in peace and friendship. I often stated that the 
Mormons should settle in the Sandwich Islands, or some place 
out of the jurisdiction of the United States; and it is my sincere 
conviction that a disturbance, and perhaps a civil war, will arise 
with them at their present residence at the Salt Lake. It is 
doubtful if they now will recognize the government of the 
United States over them. 

At Nauvoo and vicinity, the Mormons assembled in great 
numbers from all parts of the Union, and from Europe also. 
I presume at the highest figure they might be set down at 
fifteen thousand souls in the city and immediate neighborhood, 
and were a working, industrious people. 

Party-politics raged in Illinois with a bitter rancor, so that 
every machinery was put in operation to obtain the victory. 
The Whigs and Democrats were pretty equally divided, and it 
was supposed that the Mormons could turn the scale on either 
side where they cast their votes. This condition of the coun- 
try gave them great importance, and was one cause of their 
downfall. 



MY OWN TIMES. 36/ 

In December, 1839, the prophet, Joseph Smith, appeared at 
Washington City and presented his claims to Congress for relief 
for the losses he and the Mormons sustained in Missouri at the 
city of Far West. 

When the prophet reached the city of Washington, he desired 
to be presented to President Van Buren. 

I had received letters, as well as the other Democratic mem- 
bers of congress, that Smith was a very important character in 
Illinois, and to give him the civilities and attention that was 
due him. He stood at the time fair and honorable, as far as 
we knew at the city of Washington, except his fanaticism on 
religion. The sympathies of the people were in his favor. 

It fell to my lot to introduce him to the President, and one 
morning the prophet Smith and I called at the white house to 
see the chief magistrate. When we were about to enter the 
apartment of Mr. Van Burcn, the prophet asked me to introduce 
him as a "Latter-Day Saint." It was so unexpected and so 
strange to me, the "Latter-Day Saints," that I could scarcely 
believe he would urge such nonsense on this occasion to the 
President. But he repeated the request, when I asked him if I 
understood him. I introduced him as a "Latter-Day Saint," 
which made the President smile. 

Smith, the prophet, remained in Washington a great part ol 
the winter, and preached often in the city. I became well 
acquainted with him. He was a person rather larger than ordi- 
nary statue, well proportioned, and would weigh, I presume, 
about one hundred and eighty pounds. He was rather fleshy, 
but was in his appearance amiable and benevolent. He did not 
appear to possess any harshness or barbarity in his composition, 
nor did he appear to possess that great talent and boundless 
mind that would enable him to accomplish the wonders he 
performed. 

His claim for damages done to the Mormons in Missouri, 
was submitted to the Senate, and both the senators of Missouri, 
Messrs. Benton and Lynn, attacked his petition with such force 
and violence that it could obtain scarcely a decent burial. 
Smith returned to the State of Illinois a red-hot Whig. 

At the August election, in 1840, the Mormons supported the 
Whig party, although before they had voted Democratic. 

It was important to the Mormons to obtain charters from the 
general assembly of Illinois in 1840 and 1841, and the struggle 
commenced in the legislature, which party, the Whigs or Demo- 
crats, could and would do the most for the Mormons to secure 
their votes. 

Dr. John C. Bennett, a man of some sagacity and cunning, 
but without principle, appeared at the general assembly, and 
his capital in business, on which he traded, was the whole Mor- 
mon vote in the future elections of the State. Scenes of bargain 



368 MY OWN TIMES. 

and intrigue commenced in the halls of legislation, that was 
disreputable to both parties. 

A charter was granted the city of Nauvoo, that gave them 
power beyond the constitution and laws of the State, and which 
was at last the main element in their downfall. Another char- 
ter was granted, organizing the "Nauvoo Legion." This act 
also gave this military band too much power. Another charter 
was granted to incorporate the "Nauvoo House," and in it the 
prophet and his heirs were to have a residence forever. The 
charter for city government gave power to pass ordinances con- 
trary to the laws of the State, and even the constitution. This 
provided for rule and ruin. The Mormons commenced their 
government under these charters, and their city and temple 
commenced also to expand their wings. 



CHAPTER CXXI. 

Ti?k Mormon Corporation Abuse the Power Given Them. — Schism in 
the Church. — Press Destroyed. — Joseph and Hiram Smith Murdered 
in Jail. — Mormons Leave the State. — The Temple. 

The corporation of the city of Nauvoo passed ordinances 
under their charter that made the city government independent, 
in many respects, of the State government, establishing a sover- 
eignty within a sovereignty. This was the main ground of com- 
plaint, made by all honest men against both the Mormons for 
abusing the power, and the State legislature for giving it to 
them. 

In the summer of 1844, a violent schism and dispute arose 
among the "Latter-Day Saints" themselves, and a paper was 
established by Wilson, his brother, and some eight other Mor- 
mons. The reason of the disturbance was the iniquity of the 
other prophet, and the church establishing the system of po- 
lygamy, or the spiritual-wife system. The schismatic members 
established a press, to expose the evil-doings and corruption 
of the prophet and other members. It is said the prophet 
laid claim to Wilson's wife, who was a beautiful woman. One 
paper was issued, and the press was destroyed, by order of the 
common-council of Nauvoo, before the second paper was issued. 

Wilson made complaint to the civil authorities of the county 
of Hancock, and had a warrant issued for the arrest of all the 
rioters. The citizens throughout the county of Hancock and 
the surrounding counties were extremely hostile to the Mor- 
mons, and wished to have them expelled from the country as 
they had been from Missouri. Wilson was, on this account, 
aided by the people. The constable who had charge of the 
warrant reported a falseJiood — that he could not arrest the 



MY OWN TIMES. .369 

mayor and common-council. This was a conspiracy to excite 
the people against the Mormons, and to collect a vast number 
to destroy the new sect. 

On the 17th of June, 1844, a committee from Hancock 
County waited on the Governor of the State — his excellency, 
Thomas Ford — and requested a military force to execute the 
laws, when, in fact, no resistence was made to their execution. 

The Governor deemed it his duty to appear at the scene of 
action, and judge for himself. When he reached the scene, 
under a pledge of the Governor that the rioters would be pro- 
tected and tried according to law. Mayor Joseph Smith, his 
brother Hiram, and the council, surrendered themselves to the 
officers, and were marched eighteen miles from Nauvoo, to 
Carthage, the county-seat of Hancock County, for trial. Most 
of the party were admitted to bail, but warrants were issued 
for Joseph and Hiram Smith for treason, and those two were 
confined in the jail of Hancock County. The Governor put a 
guard around the prison, but by connivance, and without his 
knowledge, a party of disguised men, in the absence of the 
Governor, inhumanly murdered the two Smiths in jail. No 
murder was ever committed under more dastardly and atro- 
cious circumstances than this. The people of Hancock County 
were determined to wreak their vengeance on the prophet and 
his brother, and perpetrated it in this barbarous and disgraceful 
manner. The Smiths were decoyed to Carthage, and a warrant 
issued for the pretented crime of treason, to confine them in 
jail, and then to take the advantage of prisoners in a jail and, 
under the promised protection of the Governor, murder them, 
presents a crime that is seldom equalled for its atrocity and 
barbarity. 

The whole Mormon scene, from a short time after they 
reached Nauvoo, was a continued warfare and succession of 
riots that were disgraceful to human nature, and derogatory to 
both civilization and free government. Both parties were about 
equally guilty, but the Mormons were the weakest and were 
forced to leave the State. , 

At various periods in the year 1845, and the beginning of 
1846, a civil war was at the point of breaking out, and drench- 
ing the country in blood; but the matter was agreed on by the 
twelve apostles of the Mormon church, and the delegates of 
eight of the adjoining counties, that the Mormons would leave 
the State in the spring of 1846, and in consideration thereof, 
all arrests and legal process should be abandoned. The leaders 
of the Mormon church found it true that they could not remain 
in the State, and agreed to leave it. The Governor was privy 
to the agreement, and encouraged it for the sake of peace and 
harmony in the State. 

During the winter, the greatest activity was exerted to pre- 
24 



370 MY OWN TIMES. 

pare for the migration to the Salt Lake in the Rocky Moun-^ 
tains. Twelve thousand wagons, and other moveable articles in 
proportion, were made during the winter previous to their de- 
parture in the spring of 1846. 

I visited Nauvoo in the spring of 1846, and witnessed much 
distress. The women and children were left behind the masses 
of the Mormons, and many of them were visited with sickness. 
The whole earth, for a large space, was covered with Mormon 
wagons starting to the Salt Lake. 

I was in the Mormon temple at Nauvoo, and examined it. It 
was a large and splendid edifice, built on the Egyptian style of 
architecture, and its grandeur and magnificence truly astonished 
me. It was erected on the top of the Mississippi Bluff, which 
gave it a prospect that reached as far as the eye could extend 
over the country, and up and down the river. The most singu- 
lar appendage of this splendid edifice was the font in which the 
immersion of the saints was practised. It was circular, being 
about fifteen feet in diameter, and about eight in depth. It 
was composed, if my memory serves me right, of marble, and 
the fabric rested, some six or eight feet from the floor, on the 
backs of twelve oxen. The heads of the cattle were turned 
out, and the font resting on their backs. The head, horns, and 
the whole front of the oxen were beautifully carved in just and 
elegant proportions of the bovine animal. The oxen were 
carved, I presume, of wood, and were painted as white as snow. 
Their horns were beautifully proportioned. Rooms were pre- 
pared adjoining the font in which to dress and undress prepara- 
tory to immersion, and arrangements were made to heat the 
rooms and the water in the baptismal font. 

The complaints of the citizens against the Mormons were 
numerous, and perhaps many of them true. Among others 
were the following: That the "Latter-Day Saints" committed 
larcenies on the citizens, and harbored bad men; that the Mor- 
mons had such power in the county they could not be punished 
for any crime; that they governed the county elections, and 
that the, Mormons considered the government in the city of 
Nauvoo above the State authorities, and that crimes and po- 
lygamy were practised among themselves. 

When the charge of polygamy was first made against them, 
the public, at a distance from Nauvoo, could not believe that it 
was possible that such crime was practised openly by the society, 
but the subsequent history of the Mormons leaves no doubt on 
the subject that the crime is practised openly among them. 

Polygamy is a crime that poisons the fountain of moral and 
correct society, and will inevitably destroy the community 
where it exists if it be not rooted out. A crime so injurious to 
the morals, peace, and happiness of the human family, if the 
laws cannot restrain it, will, of its own malignancy, destroy 



MY OWN TIMES. .37I 

itself. Its own poison will, in the end, destroy itself. The Gov- 
ernment of the United States is bound to root it out from the 
Territory of Utah. Polygamy must be suppressed by law, and 
not by Lynch-violence, which is worse than the crime itself. 



CHAPTER CXXII. 

The Icarian Community. — Sketch of the Life M. Cabet, the Founder. 

It is in MY TIMES to record the history of this singular com- 
munity, since its arrival in Illinois, and to give the institutibn, 
from the facts, the position in the community that it merits. 

It is now making an experiment — going through the state of 
probation — to solve the great principle, in the progress of the 
human family, to happiness, and all the philanthropists are 
anxiously looking for the success of the enterprise. 

The founder of the Icarian community, M. Cabet, is a dis- 
tinguished and conspicuous character throughout both Europe 
and America. He was born in the city of Dijon, — Cote d'or — 
in France, January, 1788, and was the son of a workman. He 
worked, himself, with his father until he reached the age of 
twelve years, and then he commenced his studies under the 
celebrated teacher, Jacotot. He studied medicine, and then 
law. He practised law for many years in France, and was at 
one time the attorney-general of that kingdom. 

The destiny of M. Cabet was cast in a stormy revolutionary 
time in France, and his genius, talents, and temperament would 
not permit him to remain an idle, quiet spectator of the im- 
portant passing events. He became conspicuous, distinguished, 
and efficient in eveiy enterprise in which he embarked. 

M. Cabet possesses an extraordinary strength and energy of 
mind, and an ambition that is unbounded; victory or death 
seems to be his motto. Judging from a careful examination of 
his life, actions, and writings, he is not a wild, Utopian specu- 
lator that expects to make mankind and his government per- 
fect, but all his common-sense presents is the practical improve- 
ment of the human race, and thereby to render mankind more 
happy. 

In 18 1 5, when he was twenty-seven years old, he was perse- 
cuted for his democratic principles, and suspended from the 
practice of the law for a considerable length of time. 

In the revolution of 1830, in Paris, he signed a declaration, 
with many others, summoning the citizens to arms to resist the 
Bourbon dynasty, which, if defeated, death was the inevitable 
consequence. He might have taken office in the government 
of Louis Phillippe, but he declined it. 

The Democrats of Cote d'ov proposed him as a candidate for 



372 MY OWN TIMES. 

parliament in Paris, and his answer to them, dated May, 183 1, 
was among the most talented democratic documents that had 
ever been published in France. For it he was removed from 
his office of attorney-general. He was elected deputy by a 
large majority. 

He published the history of the Revolution of 1830, for which 
he suffered a severe prosecution by the government of Louis 
Phillippe, but was honorably acquitted. 

In the insurrection of the 5th and 6th of June, 1832, in Paris, 
M. Cabet, with others, were accused of treason, and warrants 
were issued against them. The government was in such rage 
that justice could not be administered, and he and others were 
not taken, but concealed themselves. He wrote a letter, which 
was published, that he did not desire a judicial murder inflicted 
on him, but would give himself up to the law when peace and 
order were restored. When order and reason had been estab- 
lished he gave himself up, but was not even prosecuted. 

He was prosecuted for a democratic article which he wrote, 
and was condemned to two years' imprisonment, and a suspense 
of his political rights for five years. The imprisonment was 
commuted for five years exile. In his exile in London, he 
wrote several histories, which have given him much celebrity. 

About this time, he conceived the idea of the amelioration of 
the masses, and composed his book known as the "Voyage to 
Icannia." This is an imaginary work, like "Plato's Republic," 
to show the operations of his Icarian communism. The con- 
ception, to improve the condition of the masses, and his inces- 
sant labors under his system, if no more, will richly entitle him 
to the honor of being ranked with the most prominent philan- 
thropists of the age. 

He not only wrote an immense number of books and pamph- 
lets, but he also edited journals to sustain his views as to his 
new principles of communism and democracy. He labored 
with great energy to improve the condition of the working-peo- 
ple of France, as well as their government and social condition. 

His system became popular all over France, although it had 
influential opponents who attacked it with great severity and 
rancor. He struggled against the attacks of his enemies for 
fifteen years, and was prosecuted in the cities of Toulouse, 
Lyons, Vienne, Rouen, Paris, and St. Quentin, but in every case 
he was triumphantly acquitted. The masses were his friends, 
but all of the ancient order of things opposed his new system. 

In May, 1847, he was convinced that the government of 
France would never consent to the establishment of commun- 
ism in that country, and he determined to settle himself and 
community in the United States of America. 

When his intention was made known that he would remove 
to America, one hundred thousand souls would have followed 



MY OWN TIMES 373 

him across the Atlantic if they had possessed the means. Sev- 
eral thousand were preparing to sail to America in 1848, and 
the vanguard embarked at Havre on the 3d of February, of 
that year. But the revolution of the 26th of Fel?ruary, of the 
same year, deranged his operations. In these tumultuous times, 
he Was accused of being at the head of 3,000,000 communists, 
and wanted himself to be proclaimed dictator. The troops and 
national guard hearing this foolish rumor, marched through the 
streets of Paris brandishing their sabres, and crying "Down 
with the communists; death to Cabet!" While these cries 
were uttering, and the infuriated soldiers crowding the streets, 
an empty coffin was borne on, with the inscription on it 
"Cabet." His enemies would have entered his house, but sup- 
posed he was not at home. 

On the 15th of May, of the same year, soldiers did enter his 
house in search of arms, but found none, and greatly terrified 
his wife and family. 

On some frivolous pretext, he was condemned to one month's 
imprisonment; but about this time, he heard that his colony in 
America were about to return to Europe if he did not meet 
them. Although it was winter, he determined to sail for 
America, and wrote the government that when he settled his 
friends in America, he would return and receive his punishment. 
He arrived at New Orleans in January, 1849, where he met five 
hundred of his colony. Somq of his people returned to Eu- 
rope, but about three hundred, consisting of men, women, and 
children, decided with him to settle in Nauvoo, Illinois. They 
reached Nauvoo on the 15th of March, 1849, ^"d have increased 
considerably. 

In 185 1, when the new colony was sufficiently established, he 
returned to France and appealed from the first decision of the 
court, and was triumphantly acquitted with "the honors of inno- 
cence." 

While in Paris he established another pres^, and was at last 
exiled to England. He then bid a long farewell to his native 
land, '^ La Belle France" and has become a citizen of the United 
States to end his days in America. 

M. Cabet found, in his study of history, that the wars, calam- 
ities, and distresses among the people, principally arose from 
the continual war between the aristocracy and the democracy, 
and that the principles of equality must be restored in a com- 
munity before it can be happy. He published more than forty 
works to sustain his communism, and among them one entitled 
"True Christianity." In this last work, he demonstrated the 
original purity of the gospel, and that communism was com- 
patible with Christianity in its original purity. 



374 MY OWN TIMES. 

CHAPTER CXXIII. 

The System and Philosophy of the Icarian Community. 

This system presupposes the members of the society to be 
honest, good, and virtuous, and that the system will advance 
the people in all the blessings and happiness of life. 

Icarian communism takes the ground that the present, and 
particularly the ancient organization of society in Europe, is 
vicious and corrupt, and that the misery and distresses of the 
people arise out of this malorganization. 

The constitution of the Icarian community lays down several 
fundamental principles by which their society is to be managed, 
improved, and made happy. One of the most essential rules is 
the destruction of individual interest and selfishness, as opposed 
to the most important considerations that are so highly es- 
teemed under the present organization of society. No indi- 
vidual can be the owner of any property or wealth whatever, 
but that all estate, property, and substance belong to the 
society in common. Each one works for all, and all work for 
each one. The system makes the entire community one single 
family, conducted by such government as is agreed on by a free 
discussion and vote. The whole wealth and power of the com- 
munity is an unit, and can be wielded, they say, with great effect 
for the benefit of all alike. 

This system attempts to destroy all unequality, and bases 
society on equality, fraternity, and the love of God and man. 
The membership is not confined to any nation, kindred, or 
tongue, or to any test of religion or religious creed. The 
Icarians profess to be Christians, as understood and laid down 
in olden times by the New Testament, but they dispense with 
any priesthood forming a sacradotal body. Freedom of relig- 
ious opinions, as other free opinions, are tolerated and sustained. 
The external and public worship will be simple, and disengaged 
from all superstitions and useless ceremonies. Icarianism is also 
founded on education, marriage, and family. Education being 
considered the substratum of all blessings, it is given to all 
equally and abundantly. 

Marriage is considered by them the greatest happiness to the 
human family, and particularly to the females and children, and 
therefore the Icarian organization contemplates that all men and 
women should marry, yet there is no force used to effect it. 

The Republic of Icaria binds itself to raise and educate the 
children. In this republic, the women have as many social 
rights as the men in many respects. They are not permitted 
to vote in the legislature of the community, but they have 



MY OWN TIMES. 375 

reserved places for them in that body, and their votes are 
required as "advice." "They are also required to give their 
opinions on all questions particularly concerning themselves. 
Voluntary celibacy is interdicted," and all should marry, but 
the choice must be free to each party. Husband and wife are 
equal, and in case of dissent between them, the law will regu- 
late the course to be pursued. Strict fidelity is enjoined on 
both parties. Marriages are contracted for life, yet divorces 
may be had according to law. 

The constitution of the Icarian government states that "all 
men are free, consequently the liberty of each is necessarily 
circumscribed by the liberty of others. No one is free to en- 
croach on the liberty of another. The obedience to the laws is 
the exercise of liberty." 

This community suppresses opulence and poverty, banking and 
usnry, salaries of office, and courts of justice. It regulates the 
food and lodging of the members, and provides common tables 
for all. It provides, also, clothing for all, regulating also the 
variety with uniformity and equality. 

The above are some of the principles on which this com- 
munity is founded, and many of them are based on a profound 
knowledge of human rights and freedom. The system is 
founded on the principle that individual selfishness shall be 
destroyed in the Icarian community. This principle of indi- 
vidual interest, so powerfully established in the human family, 
shall be abandoned by their government. This is requiring of 
human nature more than we can accomplish, and more, perhaps, 
than is just and proper. It is individual interest that propels 
man to act in the present organization of society. 

The government of the Icarian community is democratic, the 
sovereignty resting with the people, and is divided between 
legislative and executive departments, which are to be kept dis- 
tinct and separate. Legislation is confined to a general assem- 
bly of all the people, and only the males voting; the executive 
to a committee called the Committee of Gerant. The judicial 
power is exercised by the general assembly, or a jury estab- 
lished by law. 

Under this organization, the Icarian community has been in 
actual operation since March, 1849, in Illinois, and now num- 
bers about five hundred souls. They are industrious, virtuous, 
and happy people, carrying out the theory of their system. 

They have established an auxiliary society in the State of 
Iowa, on a tract of land containing three thousand acres. In 
this latter community, they will receive the new members after 
they go through a state of probation at Nauvoo. The society 
has increased one hundred during the last year, and the mem- 
bers entertain a lively hope that the experiment to improve the 
<;ondition of man will be successful. 



376 MY OWN TIMES.. 

Persons may leave at their own discretion and receive part of 
the sum they gave the society at their entrance, which is 
required to be sixty dollars. They also have returned to them 
their beds, clothing, and working utensils. One large room is 
furnished to two males, or to two females, or to a married 
couple. The rooms are well furnished without luxury. Work- 
shops have been erected for all the mechanic occupations — 
tailors, shoemakers, carpenters, wagon - makers, and so on 
through the whole list of mechanic -work. The females also 
have their rooms well adapted to washing, sewing, and all the 
work throughout their department. 

Each member is bound to work according to their strength, 
so as not to be oppressive. The longest day's work is not to^ 
exceed ten hours, and no work is to be done by candle-light. 
The food which is provided, and cooked in a common kitchen 
by the community, is plain, nourishing, and healthy. The 
evenings are spent in recreations and amusements. 

On Sunday, lectures are delivered on moral and religious sub- 
jects, and often on the evenings of Sundays, most of the com-, 
munity march out to the shady groves, in good weather, with a 
band of music, and the young dance, while the old and the chil- 
dren look on or gather flowers. On Sunday evenings, concerts 
and theatres are frequently enjoyed. Most of the children are 
instructed in music, so that at this time the young ones are gen- 
erally good musicians. 

The community possess two printing-presses, one French and 
the other German, that publish periodical papers. They also 
own a library of almost four thousand volumes, and a cabinet 
of mineralogical and chemical specimens; also, many musical 
instruments, and some arms for the chase. 

The general assembly convene every Saturday evening, and 
transact public business. 

The community have erected a large institution for education, 
and an infant asylum and infirmary. Also, stables for their 
horses and cattle. They have also a fine flouring-mill and a 
saw-mill. Also, granaries of large dimensions, and a store. 

The Icarians are generally a quiet, sober, honest, and peace- 
able people, so that they and their neighbors live on the best of 
terms with each other, and interchange civilities after the man- 
ner of brothers. 

The constitution and laws of the State give this community 
ample freedom to carry out their system, and it is hoped that 
success may crown their efforts. 



MY OWN TIMES 377- 



CHAPTER CXXIV. 

Freshets in the Mississippi River. — Cahn in PoHtics. — Isms. — Mexican. 
War, — The Author Elected Twice to the General Assembly. — Elected 
Speaker of the House. — The General Occupation of the Author. 

At long intervals, the Mississippi River inundates its low- 
lands, and sweeps with great violence over the bottom from 
bluff to bluff. The last very high rise of water in the river was 
in the year 1844, and another preceded it in the year 1785. 
The last inundation covered the American Bottom for many 
feet, and did great injury to the property within the scope of 
the high waters. I saw, often, the marks of the water of the 
flood of 1785 on the houses in the French villages, but do not 
believe that it was as high as that of 1844. The highest water 
of 1844, is marked on a rock- monument planted on Water 
Street, between Market and Elm Streets, in St. Louis, Missouri. 
It appears that there has been four great inundations of the 
Mississippi lowlands within the last one hundred and fifty years. 
One in 1725; the next in 1772; the next in 1785; and the last 
in 1844. 

At this period, there is almost a dead calm in politics in this- 
State, and in fact it is the same throughout the Union. The 
Whig party having been nearly used tip, the Democrats have na 
opposition, and they divide among themselves. Many other 
elements are now mixed with the old parties, so that the great 
leading principles that were once so warmly and ably discussed 
are now measurably at rest. An organization in many of the 
States, known as the "American Party," is established, and is 
introduced into politics. Another party is established on the 
Missouri Compromise. This subject brings up into discussion 
the prohibition of slavery, by act of Congress, in the Territory 
of Kansas, and produces great excitement throughout the 
Union. It has, and will govern the elections in many of the 
States, and I presume that both of these parties will be a great 
element in the next presidential election. 

The Mexican war occurred during the administration of Pres- 
ident Polk, and was conducted with great efficiency and honor 
to the nation. 

The State of Illinois acted her part nobly in that war, and 
gained much character and standing by the great and extra- 
ordinary efforts of the soldiers of the State. Almost ten regi- 
ments volunteered their services, and five entered the tented 
field. These were all the government would receive. At the 
battle of Buena Vista, at Cerro Gordo, and at all other points 



3/8 MY OWN TIMES. 

where the Illinois troops appeared in this war, they acquitted 
themselves with honor and glory to themselves and the State. 

In 1840, Thomas Ford was elected governor of the State of 
Illinois, and whose administration was encumbered considerably 
with the "Mormon troubles." Augustus C. French was elected 
twice — once in 1846, and in 1848 — to the chief-magistracy of 
the State. Governor French made a prudent, discreet execu- 
tive-officer. 

In 1848, the new constitution of the State was established by 
the people, and under it Mr. French was elected governor, the 
second time, in 1848. 

In 1852, Joel B. Matteson was elected governor of the State, 
and whose term of service closes in January, 1857. 

Experience is the unerring guide to mankind in free govern- 
ment as well as all other transactions, and it was discovered 
that the first constitution, formed in 1818, did not suit the state 
of society in 1847, and a new constitution and form of govern- 
ment were established. 

The judiciary, under the old constitution, was a main feature 
— that required a new and better organization. Under the old 
constitution, the tenures of the office of the judges were during 
good behavior. Under these circumstances, an objectionable 
officer could never be removed, except by impeachment, which 
was rarely practicable. Illinois was among the first States of 
the Union to adopt the principle to elect the judges of the 
courts by the people, and define the term of office to a certain 
number of years. 

Many years before the adoption of the new constitution, I, 
and many others in Illinois, urged warmly on the public, in the 
newspapers and otherwise, the propriety of the election of the 
judges by the people. This system is adopted in the new con- 
stitution. 

A council of revision was established in the old constitution, 
composed of the governor and judges of the supreme court. 
This, on practice, was discovered to be wrong. The gov^ernor, 
acting alone now, has the power to veto the bills sent him from 
the general assembly before they become laws. He should pos- 
sess more power, requiring two-thirds of the legislature to pass 
bills over his head. 

The new constitution defines the pay of members and the 
length of time of the session of the general assemblies, which 
is discovered to be an excellent provision. The sessions of the 
legislature are now short and efficient. The new constitution 
also provides for the payment of the State debt, and the pre- 
vention of free colored people settling in the State. As "'one of 
the people, I advocated warmly and voted for the new consti- 
tution. 

The State constitution of Illinois, of 18 18, was the first in the 



MY OWN TIMES. 379 

Union that adopted the humane provision against the old bar- 
barous custom of imprisonment for debt. A spirit of mercy 
and benevolence breathes through the constitution and laws oi 
Illinois that is creditable and honorable to the founders of our 
State government. The constitution speaks this Christian lan- 
guage: "The object of punishment is reformation, and not ex- 
termination." I do not believe that any State in the Union is 
blessed with a better constitution and laws than Illinois, and 
where the State lazvs are better administered. 

A better system of banking is also established under the new 
constitution than existed under the first government. All the 
old banks broke, and were a curse to the country. The present 
system of free-banking, with State stocks for a basis, may do 
better. 

In 1846, I was elected a member, from St. Clair County, to 
the general assembly of the State, and on the 7th of December, 
of that year, took my seat in the house of representatives. The 
main object of myself and friends, in my election to the gen- 
eral assembly, was to obtain, with the united exertions of my 
colleagues, a charter for a macadamized road from the city of 
Belleville to the Mississippi River, opposite to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri. The legislature of Illinois had been so exceedingly 
demoa'atic, that a charter could not be obtained, previously, 
without two provisions contained in them that prevented stock 
from being taken under them, and the improvements from being 
made. One provision was, that the charter could be repealed 
at any time; and the other was, that the private property 
of each stockholder should be liable for all the debts of the 
company. These exceedingly rigid provisions were not inserted 
in this charter, and under it a macadamized road was con- 
structed from the city of Belleville to the river. This was the 
first macadamized road made in the State. It is almost four- 
teen miles long. Before the construction of this road, at times 
it was almost impossible to reach the river for the mud and mire 
in the road. 

A story is told, to show the mud in the American Bottom, 
that a man was going to St. Louis, and in the American Bot- 
tom he saw a hat on the top of the ground. He got ofT his 
horse to pick up the hat, but found a man's head in it. The 
man under the hat said, "under him was a wagon and four 
horses mired in the mud ; that he was safe, but he supposed the 
horses and wagon were in a bad fix" 

This was the best improvement made in the county, and gave 
the city of Belleville its first advance toward prosperity. 

I advocated all in my power an act of the general asssembly, 
establishing in a circuit several counties, including the counties 
of Johnson and Massac, where certain rioters had done much 
injury, and juries could not be procured in the infected counties 



38o MY OWN TIMES. 

to punish the offenders. Under this law, the rioters were tried 
in the adjoining counties, and peace and quiet were restored to 
the citizens. 

After the close of this legislature, I turned my time and 
attention more to the calm and quiet of life. I had recourse to 
my library of almost one thousand volumes of choice selections, 
and indulged in the study of science and literature. I practised 
law in some peculiar cases for my amusement and recreation, 
but devoted my attention mainly to my books. I discovered 
an ample field in literature for all my energy and labor to exert 
themselves, and at the same time, these pursuits produced not 
only an occupation for me, but also much happiness. I soon 
discovered that the bustle and turmoils of a political life did 
not produce happiness. In this condition of life, of active idle- 
ness, I wrote the "Pioneer History of Illinois." I published 
fifteen hundred copies, and, I believe, almost every reading 
person in the State has given it a perusal. 

The next work I published was a pamphlet, known as "John 
Kelly." This work was intended to enforce morality and virtue 
on the community, and toleration and liberality among the vari- 
ous religious sects. It did not succeed as well as I think its 
merits entitled it, or as well as I contemplated it would when I 
wrote it. 

I travelled in the fall of 1853, for information, to the cities of 
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, by the falls of Niagara, 
and returned by the Ohio River. I published sketches of the 
country over which I travelled, and "A glance at the Crystal 
Palace, in the city of New York." This work receives, to some 
extent, the approbation of the public. It contains considerable 
statistical information. 

I am closing my last work, called "MY OWN TIMES," embra- 
cing, also, the history of my life. I labored on it incessantly, 
for one year, in writing it and preparing it for the press. 

The improvement of the county of St. Clair, and particularly 
the railroads to the city of Belleville, induced the people to pro- 
pose me again for the legislature in 1852. I was elected, and 
when I appeared at the seat of government, I was taken up as 
the Speaker of the House ot Representatives. I knew I was 
not well qualified for the situation, but I was elected by accla- 
mation to that very responsible and laborious office. 

The following is a part of the address I delivered on being 
elected Speaker of the House: 

"I have nothing to labor for but the public good. My life 
has been chiefly devoted to promote the public interests of 
the State of Illinois. I have been raised in it, and the State 
has honored me repeatedly by marks of its confidence; and 
now, in my latter days, it will afford me great pleasure if I can 
advance the welfare of the people of the State. 



MY OWN TIMES. 381 

"Gentlemen: You have my sincere thanks for the honor that 
you have conferred on me, and I will endeavor to perform the 
duties of the office to the best of my abilities." 

The House was extremely friendly to mc, and not a single 
appeal was taken from my decisions. A great amount of im- 
portant business was transacted this session, and all carried 
through in forty-two days. I procured, with the exertions of 
my colleagues, an act to improve the American Bottom, and 
another to promote the navigation of the Kaskaskia River, 
which acts have already done much service to the country. In 
the called-session of this same general assembly, in 1854, much 
business was transacted. 



CHAPTER CXXV. 

Improvements of the State. 

Within a few years, Illinois has increased its wealth and 
population with astonishing rapidity. The immigrants are 
mostly the choice spirits, the most talented and enterprising 
citizens of the old States, who have settled in Illinois. The 
drones are left at home in the old beehive. This is one reason, 
among many others, that has caused the State to improve so 
fast. 

One other important consideration, which has advanced much 
the unparalleled prosperity of this State, is the great number of 
intelligent and efficient public journals established throughout 
the State, and teeming always with statistics and other useful 
information relative to the great resources of the State. I pre- 
sume there are more than five hundred newspapers printed in 
Illinois, which have done the State immense service. There is 
no class of men in the State who do so much good, and are so 
poorly paid for it, as the conductors of public journals. 

It is estimated that Illinois contains seven millions five hun- 
dred thousand acres of cultivated land at this time, and the 
remainder, just as available and as good, is yet to be filled up 
and improved. Scarcely an acre in the State is unavailable and 
unproductive. The large prairies are the greatest advantages 
that Illinois possess. The prairies of Illinois over timbered 
land have advanced the State fifty years in its rapid progress 
to its present agricultural prosperity. Many persons, without 
reflection, desire more timber, and recommend the culture 01 
forest-trees. I repeat it, that it would be to the advantage of 
the State if there was not a forest-tree in it. Then, fences out- 
side of the fields would be useless to keep the stock out, as 
there would be no range or common of pasture for the stock. 
What is the use of outside fences if no animals range outside? 



382. MY OWN TIMES. 

Some tences, for pastures within, may be necessary, but no out- 
side fences will be seen in Illinois, in a few years, when the whole 
State will be under cultivation. All the timber in Illinois is 
not worth the fences, and the continuation of the fences, that 
now enclose the cultivated lands in the State. Stone-coal will 
furnish the fuel, and lumber, and small quantities of timber 
that is necessary for building, will be imported. 

The first improvement of the agricultural implements in Illi- 
nois, was the fan by which to clean wheat when it was threshed. 
At Edwardsville and Alton, these fans were manufactured and 
sold to some considerable extent in the year 1820, or there- 
abouts. They were considered, in their day, a great improve- 
ment in the cleaning of the wheat from the chaff. About the 
year 1835, the improved diamond plow appeared in the country. 
In 1834, I carried to Washington City a model of a plow 
invented by B. Johnson, of Bond County, and obtained for him 
a patent for his invention. This plow, invented by Mr. Johnson, 
is substantially the same as the present diamond plow. 

It has not been more than eight or ten years since the reap- 
ing and threshing-machines were introduced into common prac- 
tice in this State. At this day, many of the finest agricultural 
implements in America are manufactured and used in Illinois. 
McCormick's reaper received the prize at the great fair in Lon- 
don, and many of the agricultural utensils from Illinois obtained 
premiums at Paris in the late exhibition. Almost every town 
in the State manufacture, more or less, agricultural imple- 
ments. Messrs. Cox & Roberts, of Belleville, obtained a patent 
for a very useful invention in the threshing and cleaning of 
wheat, and they manufacture and sell great numbers of their 
machines. One thousand threshing-machines are owned and 
used in this one single county of St. Clair. Also, within a few 
years, the drill, by which to sow small grain, is becoming quite 
common in practice. Mr. Rentchler, of this city, has manufac- 
tured and sold a great number of these wheat-drills. Messrs. 
Walker and company have manufactured and sold a great quan- 
tity of plows, and other farming implements, in the city of 
Belleville. All these implements receive a ready sale, to sup- 
ply the increasing wants of the country. 

The great number of railroads, constructed in every section 
of the State, within four or five years, has advanced the agricul- 
tural interests of Illinois five hundred per cent. These roads 
add more to the permanent wealth of the country than any 
other improvement invented, except the great motive power, 
steam itself 

This late excitement, and establishment of agricultural socie- 
ties and fairs through the Union, particularly in the West, have 
done much to advance the best interests of the country. Vol- 
umes might be written to uortray the beneficial influence of 



MY OWN TIMES. 383 

these societies, but the practical demonstration of the superior 
articles of husbandry themselves produces the best effect on the 
public. 

James N. Brown, Esq., a member of the general assembly 
from Sangamon County, in the session of 1853, procured the 
passage of a law appropriating two thousand dollars, for two 
years, to establish State agricultural fairs. Mr. Brown deserves 
great credit for his exertions to advance the agricultural ener- 
gies of the State. 

At the first fair, in Springfield, the entries of articles for pre- 
miums amounted to 765. The next year, at the same place, 
the entire number rose up to 1067; and at the last fair, at Chi- 
cago, the entries went up to 2000. The cattle and produce at 
Chicago excelled those exhibited at any fair ever held in North 
America. It is supposed that more than one hundred thousand 
different persons visited the fair at Chicago. The receipts of 
the fair at Chicago were $13,500. Those of New York were 
$12,500; Indiana, $11,000; and Ohio, $9000. It is conceded 
that the State fair at Chicago was the greatest ever held in 
America. 

The population and products of the State increase in the 
same ratio. In 1810, the population of Illinois was 12,282; in 
1820, 55,211; in 1830, 157,495; in 1840,486,103; and in 1850, 
851,470. All the returns of the census for 1855 are not yet 
reported, but it is supposed, from eighty-odd counties received, 
that the population of the State is now one million three hun- 
dred thousand, and at the same ratio, in i860, there will be two 
millions in the State. It is estimated that eighty-one millions 
of bushels of corn, and twenty-five millions of bushels of wheat 
were raised this year in Illinois. This estimate places Illinois 
the foremost grain-growing State in the Union. 

I close this work hoping and predicting that Illinois will, in a 
few years, be the Empire State of the Union. 



INDEX. 



Aborigines, disappear before U.S. des- 
tiny, 21 

Act of Congress for grants of land, . . 36 
to defend western territories, .... 84 

iS20,on public lands, 145 

to remit Gen. Jackson's fine, .... 292 
to instruct army, 1794, 1812, . . . 310 
for electing judicial officers, .... 176 
relative to wills and testaments, . 180 
for Gov. to appoint canal com'rs, 203 
for internal improvement passed 
over the Gov.'s and judges' veto 324 
Adams, John Q., life, character, abili- 
ties, death, 308 

Agriculture, slow, 56 

and commerce increased, 112 

Agricultural interests advanced, .... 29 

Statistics, 381 

Implements, 382 

Aids -de -Camp of Author in Black- 
Hawk war, 212 

to Gov. Edwards, 86 

Alai-m among the mines of Galena, . . 177 
Alton, temper of the people on Aboli- 
tion, 318 

American character, 190 

Americans of Illinois, 40 

emigrants from Western States, 40 

independent character of 40 

and English contrasted, 336 

Amusements in camp, 91 

on the frontier, 8 

Ancient cities of Europe, 352 

Anderson, Rev. Isaac, preceptor of 

College, Tenn 70, 72 

Annexation of Texas under Pres. Polk, 312 
Antiquarian and Historical Society of 

Illinois, 282 

Antwerp, 356 

Arkansas admitted to Union, 1836, 

supported by James Buchanan, 312 

Armories, 316 

Arms supplied to volunteers, 213 

Army too strong for Indians to attack, 96 
Asiatic cholera in Gen. Scott's army 

Chicago, 252 

Atkinson, Gen., sent by U. S. Gov. 

to Winnebagos, 178 

of regiment at Rock Island ap- 
plies to Author for cooperation 
against band of Sac Indians, . . 223 
receives volunteers into U. S. ser- 
vice, 228 



approves Author's action, 239 

Attorneys, only three 67 

Augustin age, 287 

Austin, Moses, founder of Texas, ... 311 

Author admitted to practise law, 91 

appointed judge advocate, 97 

appointments of the directors of 
penitentiary whilst Gov. of State. 1 73 

attends various law courts, 179 

and company build railroad them- 
selves, in one season, 1837, and 

sold it at loss, 322 

and Gen. Scott remain at Rock 
Island to conclude treaties, . . . 266 

and wife sail for Europe, 332 

as Gov. calls out militia, 208 

as Gov. issues second call, 224 

asmaj.-gen. in Black-Hawk war, 228 
carries $26,000 from Vincennes 

to St. Louis, Ill 

elected fi-om St. Clair Co. to Gen. 

Assembly, 379 

elected Justice of Supreme Court, 135 

Co-Justices, 135 

elected to Gen. Assem, 1826, . . . 166 

position in, 171 

elected to Legislature, 1852, .... 380 
elected speaker of the House, ... 380 

address as speaker, 380 

goes home to settlements but re- 
turns to army, 244 

goes with Gen. Atkinson to Uixon, 250 
goes to U. S. Pennsylvania Bank, 331 
introduces Mormon Prophet to 

Pres. VanBuren, 367 

never absent from seat in Con- 
gress, 315 

different measures bro't forward, 315 
never vacillated on party votes, 316 

offers for Congress, . . .' 283 

is elected, 1834, 285 

one of the people, 189 

orderly sergeant at Grand Piasa, 94 

practises law, 165 

proposed for Governor, 181 

receives approval from Washing- 
ton and authority from Pres. 
Jackson to make treaties with 
Indians; together with Gen. 

Scott, 252 

removes to Goshen, 1 807, 64 

resumes studies, 80 

retires to private life, 380 



3SS 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

returns to Belleville, 252 

sent to London to negotiate loan 

for canal, 331 

seven years in Congress, 315 

studies French, 107 

visits Washington's residence, ... 314 
with staff and others leaves the 

army, 252 

Author's abstinence, 50 

administration as Governor, .... 192 
supports Pres. Jackson's adminis- 
tration, 202 

ancestry, 2 

attack of fever, 215 

character, 60 

childhood, 3 

domestic relations, marriage, etc., 131 

economy at Washington City, ... 316 

expenses to Europe, 358 

first court, 138 

first law office, 109 

: first message as Gov., Dec, 1830, 193 

first military expedition, 81 

move in House, that votes be 

given z'lva voce, adopted, 296 

first stump speech, 187 

impressions on entering Congress, 285 

interregnum in Congress life, ... 317 

journey to Washington, 286 

last foot-race, 81 

letters to Washington, 225 

official conduct approved by Sen- 
ate, etc., 268 

policy in Black-Hawk war, 213 

preparations for college, 67 

return from college ill, 77 

second marriage in D. C, 317 

second message to Gen. Assembly, 269 

visit to early home in Tenn., ... 5 

staff in Black-Hawk war, 214 

new staff, 245 

sobriquet "Old Ranger," 91 

writings, 3S0 

Autumn campaign up Mississippi, 

slow, sickly, 94 

Bad Axe stream, where Gen. Henry 

caught and defeated Indians, . . 264 

Baggage wagons left, 259 

Baltimore, 287 

Bank of Pennsylvania furnished $1,- 

000,000 to 111. canal, 331 

Bank of U. S. opposed by Pres. Jack- 
son as an electioneering machine, 295 
Combinations in Senate and Con- 
gress for and against it, 295 

closed 1834, 301 

Bank paper and its consequences, 1819- 

21, 142 

Banking system commenced 1816-17, 105 

Baptist census, 126 

Baptist churches, 124, 126 

denomination, 123 



PAGE- 

ministers, 123 

Bar, members of, immigrated to 111., 13S 

Barns, French, 56 

" Barring out the master," 8 

Barry, Hon. W. T., of Ky., tomb in 

England, 335 

Bastile, key of, in France, given to 

Gen. Washington, 314 

Bayard of the army, 250 

Beck, D., author of Gazetteer of 111., 31 

Bee trees and honey, 94 

Bell, Capt., of Lexington, Ky., leased 

the salines, 47 

Benton's speech on Andrew Jackson, 161 
Bienville, Governor of Louisiana, .... 28 

Big Muddy River, 15 

Bilious fever, treatment of, 130 

Birmingham, 338 

Blackburn, Gideon, pulpit orator, ... 73 

Black Betty, 41 

Black Hawk invades Government 

lands, 202 

in 1831, 204 

in 1810, 205 

with Col. Dixon in Canada, 205 

battle at Quivre River, Mo., in 

sink hole, 205 

sided with the British, 206 

war, cause of, 1828, 206 

petitions to author as Gov. by 

whites against, 207 

and Gen. Gaines, 217 

character of, 222 

treaty with, by Gen. Gaines and 

Author, 218 

interpreter at, treaty with, 217 

nicknamed the "Corn treaty," . . 220 
breaks treaty and marches to 

Oquawka, 222 

account of fight with Stillman, . . 234 

end of war with, 265 

captured, 266 

Black Partridge village, Peoria lake, 87 
Blount, Wm., first Gov. of Tenn., ... 12 

" Blue coat boys ", England, 335 

Blue mounds. Wis., meeting of bri- 
gades, 262 

Boltenhouse, a pioneer, killed, 93 

name of prairie, 93 

Bonaparte's monument of conquest of 

England ! . . 346 

Books, , 58 

Booty, 89 

Boulogne, 345 

Boundary, northern, of Illinois, 106 

Boundaries of western States, 300 

agitated in Congress, 300 

territory of Wisconsin, 300 

discussion in Congress, 301 

opposing parties, settled, 301 

Breese, Hon. Sydney, first to bring 
forward subject of lU, Cen. 
R. R. in newspaper, 325 



INDEX. 



387 



PAGE 

Bridge over lake, 2000 feet across, . . 322 

Bridges over Kaskaskia river, 113 

Brigade organized under Colonels Ste- 
phenson and McNair, 94 

under Gen. Atkinson and Author 

. march 80 miles up Rock River, 251 
Brigades ordered in search of provi- 
sions, 254 

ordered to different posts, 250 

Bristol, 358 

British Channel, crossing, 345 

British Gov. of P^ort Chartres, 30 

Brougham, Lord, 342 

his satire, 302 

Brussels, 355 

to Antwerp, 356 

Buffon's Cedar, 350 

Burgess, Hon. Tristram, of Rhode 

Island, 301 

Burial of dead on battle ground, 236 

Buzzards, 364 

Cabet, M., founder of Icarian Com- 
munity, 371 

acts in France, attorney-general 

of France, 371 

democratic speeches and writings, 372 

denounced as a communist, 373 

arrival in New Orleans, 273 

goes to Nauvoo, 273 

Cabinet of Pres. Jackson, 1834, 287 

speaker and clerk of House, .... 288 

" Cached " in the earth, 237 

Cahokia, 109 

courts, tricks, 103 

Cairo, bank and city, 105 

Calm in politics, 377 

Calbert, Scotchman, leader of Indians, 35 
Camp meetings, two first in Illinois, 120 

Campaign ended, 239 

Campbell's Island, loo 

Canal from Illinois River to lakes, . . . 136 

Canal commissioners, 181 

Canal or railroad connecting Illinois 

River and Lake Michigan, . . . 272 
Chicago harbor, before Legislature, . . 272 
Canal, 111. and Mich., 1818 to 1848, 325 

arrangement to complete, 326 

Candidates for Congress, 1828, 179 

for Lieutenant-Governor, 191 

for Congress, 1834, 283 

for Governor, 1834, 285 

Duncan elected Governor on false 

premised, 285 

Canterbury, 351 

Canvassing for office, 284 

Capital punishments and courts, 49 

Captains organized their companies, 84 
Whiteside and Boon made majors, 94 

Card-playing, 52 

Carlin, Thos., afterward Gov. of 111., 95 

Carriages and horses, 340 

Catacombs of Paris, 354 



/-. • PAGE 

Cartwnght, Rev. P., pioneer method- 

ist, 121 

Celeron, M., 29 

Census, 184 

of all churches, 1850 128 

of religious members 117 

of 1840, 325 

" Champs d' Elysees," 35 1 

Charleville, a French trader, 11 

Charlevoix, a missionary, 31 

Chase, a, 1 79 

Chicago guarded by Major Bailey's 

battalion, 246 

will be first or second city on the 

continent, 327 

Chief-Justice, Attorney-General, .... 160 

Childhood, influence of, i 

Cholera about Rock Island, , 256 

Christian Creeds, 117 

Church first established, on Prairie du 

Long Creek, 117 

Circuit Courts established, judges, ... 160 

Circulation of money, 282 

Clark, Gen. G. R., ordered to con- 
struct a fort, 32 

Clay, Henry, and Cicero, 72 

Whig leader, 292 

measures he supported in Con- 
gress, 293 

Cold Iriday, 1805, 107 

College of Tennessee, 71 

studies at, 76 

Colleges, 273 

Organization of, 274 

Lebanon seminary established, . . 274 
incorporated by Act of General 
Assembly, and called Mc- 

Kendre College, 275 

Presidents of, 275 

Illinois College at Jacksonville . . 276 
connected with Yale, Presidents, 

etc., 276 

Burnt in 1852 and rebuilt, 276 

Hillsborough Seminary removed 

to Springfield, 276 

Shurtlifi College, Alton, 276 

Paris Methodist Seminary, 276 

Colonies on Mississippi, 20 

Coloring linsey, 43, 44 

Commerce carried on in regular sys- 
tem, 150 

cause of its being retarded, isa 

Comet, 79 

Commandants of Fort Chartres, 30 

Commissioners, 225 

" Company of the West, " 27, 28 

of the Indies, 27 

Companies organized and officered, . . 246 

Compromise at, 270 

Chicago refused to enact it, 270 

Congressional districts and counties, 283 

Constitution of State of Illinois, 134 

new, 1848, . , 37S 



388 



.INDEX. 



PAGE 

Convention first, 1802, 67 

members, business, place, 67 

project for slavery, 1 53 

leaders of opposite parties, 154 

system not established, 1834, . . . 283 

system, 305 

Cook, D. P., pledge when elected 

M. C, 162 

defeated for Congress, 164 

Corn shucking, 42 

and cattle shipped to Louisiana, 57 
Correspondence with Gen. Clark of 

St. Louis, 210 

with Gen. Gaines, t 210 

County Courts to select proper jurors, 176 

Counties, Gallatin, 25 

Division of, in Illinois, 66 

of, under judges, 137 

Madison, Johnson, Pope, Galla- 
tin, 1812, 104 

Edwards, 1812, White, Jackson, 

Monroe, 1815-16, 105 

Clark, Jefferson, Wayne, Alexan- 
der, created, 137 

Montgomery, Sangamon, 150 

Green, Pike, 1821, 150 

Hamilton, Lawrence, 1821, .... 150 
Morgan, 1S23, Edgar, Marion, 15 1 
Adams, Calhoun, Fulton, Han- 
cock, Henry, Knox, McDon- 
ough, Mercer, Peoria, Schuy- 
ler, Warren, 1824-5, 151 

Putnam, Wabash, Clay, Clinton, 151 

Joe Davis, 170 

Tazewell, Perry, Shelby, Joe 

Davis, 177 

Macoupin, Macon, 181 

Jasper, Rock Island, Cook, Mc- 
Lean, LaSalle, Putnam, Coles, 

1830-31, 203 

organized 1840, 327 

established in a circuit, 379 

Court of Common law established, . . 31 
of Common pleas and quarter ses- 
sion, 66 

Creoles, 37 

none ever sentenced to hanging 

or penitentiary, 5" 

Criminal jurisprudence of the State, 
drafted and exported by Judge 

Lockwood, 175 

Crockett, Hon. David, of Tenn., .... 2S6 

Cromwell, 362 

Crozat, M., monopoly of trade, 27 

Cumberland, river first navigated, ... Ii 

or West Tennessee settled, 11 

hills, 14 

mountains, 69 

mountains and those who travelled 

them, 76 

Currency increased, 1833, . . 301 

Danites, 364 



PAGE 

D'Artaquette, Gov. of Illinois, 1736, 28 

Davenport, 221 

Debt and depression, 152 

Deer skins, the measure of value, .... 54 

Democrats, Jackson's party called, . . 162 

Democratic principles and policy, . . . 294 

Desertion in army, 310 

Dixon, Col., leader of Indians, 82 

Dodge, Gen., to defend Wisconsin, 235 

kills Indians at Pecatonica Creek, 244 
Douglas, Stephen A., nomination to 

Congress, 1837, 304 

Dover, 345 

debtors in jail at, 345 

fortified 1805, 345 

Duel of rocks, 169 

Early boundaries and settlements, ... 10 

education, 58 

Earthquake, 79 

Editors of newspapers, 186 

Education versus drink and tobacco, . 181 

Edward's Campaign, 86 

officers of, 86 

Ninian, Governor, 1809, 7^ 

Egyptian hieroglyphics deciphered by 

a Frenchman, 355 

Election of members to first General 

Assembly, 135 

Gov. and Lieutenant-Governor, 166, 
State Treasurer under Author as 

Governor, 20I 

most excited and most important, 155 
Elections early for Gov. and other 

officers, 158 

for Congress, 268 

and Gov. of State, 330 

Candidates for, 330 

Viva-voce, 176 

Electing members to Congress, law for, 203 
Electoral U. S. votes, number of, ... 161 
Electioneering in 1829 and 1855, ... . 189 

speeches, uniformity of, 189 

Eloquence not realized in paper 

speeches, .....' 293 

Encampment on Mississippi near Sac 

Village, 215 

opposite mouth of Missouri River, 91 

England, feeling against, 65 

effect of war with, 7^ 

English character and French con- 
trasted, 334 

Executive influence, , 303 

Expedition by water to Prairie duChien 

by Gov. Clark of St. Louis, . . 99 
second, by river, commanded by 

Lieut. Campbell, regulars, ... 99 
Capt. Rector and Lieut. Riggs, 

rangers, 99 

fight with Indians, lOO 

return to St. Louis, loi 

third, on Mississippi, under Major 
Taylor, etc., lOi 



INDEX. 



389 



PAGE 

fight at Rock Island with British 

and Indians, loi 

return to Warsaw, loi 

Exhibition of arts, Paris, 351 

Exploring country west to Pacific 

Ocean, 1S04, 106 

Extor-tion on travellers, 345 

Equality in France and in England, . . 344 

Factory goods, first in Illinois, 181S, 44 

" Far West, " Mo. , Mormon settlement, 364 

Father Walker's church, St. Louis,. . 120 

Ottawa, 111., Chicago 121 

Feeling between regulars and volun- 
teers, 263 

Ferry at Shawneetown, 46 

Wiggin's, first across Mississippi, 

1795, 36 

Fever River, origin of name, 1 70 

Fights, 51 

Finger in danger, 52 

Foot-racing, jumping, wrestling, .... 53 

Forced march of Gen. Henry, 260 

short of provisions, 262 

volunteers, 97 

Ford, Thos., Gov. of 111., 1844, action 

on Mormons, 369 

Fort Armstrong, 22 1 

Apple Creek, attacked by Indians, 243 

Carlyle, 84 

Clark, at Peoria, 96 

Chartres, old cannon, 82, 26 

centre of business, fashion, gaiety, 28 

newly built of limestone 1756, . . 29 

river encroaching on, 31 

abandoned by English Gov. , . . . . 31 

and village drowned, 1772, 31 

thirty years after, area, etc., .... 31 

Edwards built, 102 

Gage, seat of English Gov 31 

Grand Risseau, or Piggot's Fort, 

or Big Run, 36 

largest in Illinois, 1783, 36 

Harrison besieged and defended 

by Lieut. Taylor, 85 

Hill attacked by Indians, 18 12, 83 

Jefferson, 32 

attacked by Indians, 34 

defended, afterward abandoned, 35 

Jones, 84 

LaMotte 84, 93 

Massacre, 17 

Turf, opposite Dixon, 236 

Wilburn on Illinois River, 245 

" Forted, " 3 

Forts and garrisons established on 

frontiers, 81 

frontier from Mississippi to 

Chicago, 246 

line of, from New Orleans to 

Quebec, 27 

Forsyth, Thos., Indian agent, 90 

Four lakes, encampment on, 260 



Fourth of July, 65 

Freemen of London, 343 

French artizans, 1720, 28 

colonists and trappers, lO 

Creoles, 28 

custom dues, passport system, . . 346 

" Diligence, " beggars, 346 

cities, soil, climate, 347 

army and police, churches, desid- 

eration, 348 

palaces and pictures, gobelin tap- 
estry, 349 

vehicles and horses, 351 

farming, washing. Boulevard, . . . 352 

in Cahokia, 91 

licks, II 

ponies, 57 

representatives, 27 

settlers, 37 

dress, habits, amusements, 39 

spoliations supported by Whigs, 296 

opposed by Democrats, 296 

and Quentine villages, 48 

Freshets in Mississippi River, 377 

Frontier of 111. and settlements, 82 

exposed position of, 1812, 82 

preparation of Indians to exter- 
minate, 82 

regiments, 84 

Frontiers in danger of Indians, 1 832, 224 
guarded by Major Bailey and 

Gen. Stillman, 225 

Fruits, 57 

Fun and frolic in primitive Illinois, . . 157 
Funds for Canal obtained from Phila- 
delphia and London by Author 

and Judge Young, 326 

Furs, skins, and staple articles, 54 

Gaines, Col., of Tenn., 80 

Gen., manner toward Author, ... 215 

Galena, 168 

Gaming, 5 1 

Garden of plants, Paris, 350 

General Assembly, first at Kaskaskia, 105 

of State Government, 133 

1826-7, .•;:•■: ^71 

improvement and civilization, ... 48 

Ghent, peace of, 1814, 102 

Ginseng, Indians find abundant inlJ. S. 13 

Goshen, Author removes to, 1807, ... 64 
Governor, canvass for, between 

Author and Gov. Kinney, .... 184 

first of Illinois territory, 104 

Secretary of State, 104 

U. S. Judges for Territory, 104 

first of Illinois, State, X03, 106 

Governor's duties, 200 

of Illinois, their power, 378 

Government of City of London, 343 

" Grand Prairie, " the, 25 

Grants of land, 1722, 28, 31 

petition for, in Illinois — . 16 



390 



JNDEX. 



PAGE 

of monopoly of Louisiana trade, 27 
Gunsmith, first white man in Shaw- 

neetown, 46 

Hardships of following Indians, 259 

Harrison, W. H., Gov. of Territory, 24 

Harney, Major, , 239 

Helena, Wisconsin River, army crosses, 263 

officers commanding army, 263 

Henry, Gen. Jas. D., character, etc., 253 

adored by people of Illinois, .... 262 
in violation of orders marches 

after Black Hawk, 255 

disaffection in army, 256 

his firmness in emergency, 257 

insult to, in order of march, .... 263 

Homicide by an Indian, 141 

feeling of colonists about 141 

by Bottsford, of Kelly, 142 

Hopkins, Gen., expedition unsuccess- 
ful, 90 

Horse-races, 4th July, 65 

Horse-racing, most famous race in 

early times, 53 

Hotels in Europe and America, 337 

House of Representatives, 111., 1828, 

members, 180 

raisings, 41 

Houston, Sam, Gov. of Texas, 75 

Gen., 312 

Howard, Gov. , resigned and appointed 

to military command, 93 

Hunting and fowling, 54 

shirt, 43 

Hurricane, 15 

Icarian Community, 371 

communism, 374 

in Illinois and Iowa, 374 

general prosperity, 376 

Illinois in iSoo, 19, 22, 24 

its inhabitants, its slaves, 20 

schools, agriculture, 22 

French cart, 22 

farm implements, 23 

county seats and courts, 24 

early Government, 66 

boundaries, etc., 66 

in a nutshell, 1S12, 105 

best statute laws of U. S. except 

Louisiana, 180 

soil and surface, 24 

substratum, 25 

called at first a graveyard, 44 

population in two years, 45 

1805 48 

will be most populous State in 

Union, 327 

Immigration from Europe, 182 

various colonies, 182 

Impeachment of Theo. W. Smith, .. 271 
managers for House; counsel for 

defendant, 272 



PACK 

acquittal and cause, 272 

Impressions of England, 334 

Imprisonment for debt, 379 

Improvement of country, 282 

State of Illinois, 381 

Indiana in 1800, 24 

territory established, 23 

Indians at Peoria, 78 

attack Hill's Fort, 18 12, 83 

character and traits of nobleness, 

1833, 327 

Chickasaw, 28 

campaign against, unsuccessful, . . 28 
and Chocktaw attack Fort Jeffer- 
son led by a Scotchman, 34 

country, 15, 1 7, 20 

custom of sacrifice, 229 

Decori, one-eyed Winnebago 

chief deceives Gen. Atkinson, . 251 

fight with, 100 

fire, or — the moon, 246 

fleeing before Americans in misery 

and distress, 264 

Gen. Napope, loud voice, 261 

suing for peace at night, 262 

Gomo, Pottawatomie chief de- 
ceived Gov. Edwards, 83 

grave, wigwams, paintings, 87 

guides to Black Hawk camp, . . . 258 

half breeds, 35 

Kaskaskia, housed in, 20 

Keokuk, opposed to I31ack Hawk, 206 

refuses schools, reasons, 267 

Kickapoo, . 20, 78 

last tribe of in Illinois, 327 

murders by, 1802, 1805, 46 

first year of war, 1812, 83 

Kaskaskia River, murders by the, 92 

escape from, 93, 243 

panic still raging at Galena, .... 252 

Piankishaws, 20 

Pottawatomies, 20 

under Capt. G. E. Walker, seek 
protection against Black Hawk, 

taken into U. S. service, 250 

sold all their lands, 1833, 327 

Sac and Fox, 20 

spies, prisoners, .• 259 

standard of a warrior's character, 204 

Tecumseh, 83 

killed, 145 

Tennessee, 3 

trail followed by Capt. Snyder, 241 
surprise volunteers, several of the 
Whites killed ; Major Thomas 

goes for assistance, 242 

found, reconnoitering confusion, 258 

Wabansia, a Pottawatomie brave, 85 

Winnebagos, 20 

attack a factory-store on Missis- 
sippi, defended byLieuts. Ham- 
ilton and Vasques, 84 

women and children provided for, 220 



INDEX. 



391 



PAGE 

Industry and growth of country, .... 327 

Intemperance, 49 

Internal improvement system repealed, 324 

Jack, first, 62 

Jackson, Andrew, childhood of, ... . i 

Gen., fighting southern Indians,. 257 

life and character, 290 

nominated for Pres. by Tenn., . . 291 

anecdotes of, 291 

"Kitchen Cabinet," 286 

why so called, 289 

retiring from office, 292 

Jefferson, Thos., Gov. of Virginia, .. 32 

Jerks, 64 

Johnson, Col. , of Kentucky 145 

Jordan family erected a fort, 81 

Journals at Washington City, 289 

editors and parties, 288 

Judges, names of, by whom appointed, 66 

charging petit juries, 175 

elected by the people, 378 

Judiciary of State organized, 137 

Great Britain, 137 

re-organized, 1826-7, I75 

Julius Caesar's tower at Dover, 345 

Juries of London, 343 

law to select 176 

Kaskaskia, settlement, cathedral, .... 17 

wolves of, 18 

Kicking hats, 43 

Kossuth, mania for universal freedom, 324 

Knoxville, Tenn., laid out, 12 

seat of Gov. and Superior Court, 80 

patriotic lawyers, military, 80 

"La Belle France," 347 

La Buissoniere, Gov. of 111. , 1 739, . . 28 

La Clede, founder of St. Louis, 30 

Lafayette greeted in U. S 164 

Lafiteau Abbe, 13 

Lake Koshkonong, army depressed, 251 
Land granted by U. S. to railroad 

companies, 323 

for canal, 325 

in England, 33S 

all cultivated, 342 

laws and tenures of land, 155 

system of U. S., 157 

Languages, English and French com- 
pared, 131 

LaSalle, 1680, 150 

Last tragic scenes of the war, 99 

" Latter-day Saints," 363 

Law, John, agent, 27 

Laws to reclaim slaves, 270 

Legal currency, versus paper issues, 142 

Legislature, territorial at Kaskaskia, 105 

Lexington, Ky., watchman, 77 

Lively Grove, why named, 93 

Liverpool and its docks, 335 

its cemetery, statues, etc., 336 



PACK 

Literary men of Illinois 277 

books, 277 

Literature of Illinois in 1818, 277 

Loan from John Wright, England, . . 357 
Logan, women and children of, mur- 
dered, 2 

Log-cabins, 41 

London, its antiquity, charter, 338 

bridge, 339 

to Paris, 344 

Looms and flax breaks, 43 

Lost horses, search for at night, 238 

" Lost Rocks, " the, 25 

Louis XIV, King of France, 27 

Louisville, 181 1, 77 

Lovejoy, Rev. Elijah P., abolitionist, 317 
starts his paper against the will 
of the people, who destroy his 

press four times; he is killed, . 320 

Lynch-law, 113,114 

Macadamized road from Belleville to 

river opposite St. Louis, 379 

Macarty, Chevalier, Gov. of 111., 1751, 29 

Mahomet, 359, 362 

Mania of nations as of individuals, . . . 323 

Mann, George, murdered, 1794, 3 

Mrs. , escapes, 3 

March of army up Rock River, 237 

sudden change of plan, 237 

Marine hospitals, 316 

Marquette, Rev. J., first missionary, 116 

Marrais d' Ogee, 149 

Marshals of France, 311 

Martial and defiant spirit of settlers, 82 

Massacre at Chicago, 85 

Masses, the, in European coun- 
tries, 353, 357 

Mayfield's Creek, 33 

Measurements of land 155 

Messengers loitering, 227 

to Pawpaw Grove attacked, .... 230 

Metheglin, 52 

Methodist denomination, 118 

census, 123 

circuits, 122 

preachers, first in 1793 1 19 

Mexican war, 377 

policy of, 213 

Michigan admitted to Union, 312 

supported by Thos. H. Benton, 312 

Military bounty land tract, 150 

organized, 84 

science necessary, how attainable, 310 

versus civil authority in Paris, . . 353 

Militia, feeling of, 209 

organized, 97 

quartermaster for, 210 

Mill, steam, in Lexington, Ky., 77 

Mills, 23 

on Little Wabash River, 61 

water, near Waterloo, 1802, .... 46 

Mines, 27 



392 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

lead i68 

Miser, now Ste. Genevieve, 39 

Missionaries, 22 

Roman Catholic, first settled, ... 116 

Mississippi and Grand Tower, 149 

Bluff, Black Hawk gives battle, 264 

closed by Spaniards, 12 

river, commerce and wealth, .... 316 

Spanish settlements, 20 

"Missouri Question" or slavery, 146 

public agitation on, 1820, 146 

regiment, under Colonel McNair, 

crossing Missouri River 94 

Mob-law, 1 14 

public opinion should condemn, 115 

Money, expended at elections, 190 

market in Europe worse every 

day, 332 

Monks of La Trappe, 62 

Monopoly, grant of, 27 

Mont de Moulin, Paris, 352 

Moore, Col., and regiment, 239 

Morals, 48 

Mormons, 359, 3^4 

expelled from Mo. by Gov. Boggs, 365 
tried by Court Martial, saved by 

Gen. Donovan, 365 

turned Whigs, 367 

charters to, 368 

complaints against, 368 

schism on account of Polygamy, 368 

newspaper press destroyed, 3 

brought to trial, 369 

forced to leave the State, 369 

migrate to Salt Lake, 1846, .... 370 

■ charges against, 370 

Morrison, Col. W., ofKaskaski^, ... 112 

" Mother Carey's chickens, " 332 

Mounds and the mound builders, .... 147 

Mud in American Bottom, 379 

Mules, prejudice against, 62 

Murders by Pottawatomies, 1802-5, 46 

two, 181 1, 78 

by Indians. 1812, 83 

1814, 98 

Murdick's tricks, 96 

Murphys, 13 

Mustering in Cahokia, accident, 65 

Nashville, Tenn., named, first court, 11 
National Hospital, Eng., for sailors 

j_ and soldiers, 1 339 

road, 316 

Republicans, Adams party, first 
called so, afterward Whigs, . . 162 

Nauvoo, 366 

temple, 370 

New Haven, 61 

New Spain, what meant by, 13 

how settled, 13 

Newspapers and their editors, 186 

magazines, 277> 281 

in 1822, 154 



PAGE 

New York, 358 

Nicknames of States, origin of, 170 

Night alarms, 95 

Nominations to office, by Gov. or Sen- 
ate, 201 

Nullification, Pres. Jackson's Procla- 
mation on, 269 

Obelisk from Egypt in Paris, 300 

Ocean, its advantages and uses, 333 

Office gives a man standing in Europe, 332 

Ohio in 1800, 24 

River at Lusk's ferry, 14 

" Old Bullion, " nickname of Col. Ben- 
ton, why, 301 

Oliver, Rev., of Prairie du Rocher, . . 116 

Opposition to U. S. laws, 271 

Oration by J. Q. Adams at Capitol, . . 300 

by Gen. Lafayette, 307 

six Presidents there, 307 

Orations, exhibitions, college, 72 

Order to seek and coerce the Indians, 230 

Orders for provisions, 235 

" Ordinance," act of Congress, 132 

of 1 787, 103 

Ottawa, 111., defended by volunteers 

under Col. Johnson, 237 

Overflow of bank currency, effect of, 326 
Oxford, its University, libraries, .... 340 

reminisences, etc. , 340 

antiquities, 341 

Pain Court, now St. Louis, 39 

" Panic Session, " the, 295 

Paris, 347 

and Napoleon, 354 

to Brussels, 355 

via Cambay, Valenciennes, 355 

Parisian customs, 354 

Parliament of Great Britain, 342 

Parties in the Legislature, 201 

Party contest in 111., commenced by 

election of Adams for Pres., . . 162 
organization commenced in North- 
ern Illinois, 1835, 304 

politics, influence on Mormons, 366 

spirit, for and against, 293 

in Congress, 288 

necessary, 290 

strife on " The Question ", 153 

Passage to Europe, 1839, 333 

Passengers on Steamship " Liverpool", 332 

" Pea Ridge", 290 

Peck, Rev., 125, 154, 274 

Pecuniary embarrassments in the West, 144 
Penitentiary, money, how raised to 

build it, 172 

Peoria, burnt by Captain Craig, 90 

capital of Indian country in 111., 78 

military expedition to Indians at, 78 

history of, 150 

Permit to settle in Spanish ground, . . 18 

Philip of Mount Hope, fate of, 2 



xINDEX. 



393 



Picket guard, 95 

Piggot, Captain James, 33 

left in charge of Fort Jefferson, . , 33 
presiding Judge of St. Clair Co., 36 

Pilgrims, the, early history of, I 

Pioneer life, occupations, amusements, 41 

dress, 43 

Pioneers, conveying letters, 227 

more discerning than Gov. Min- 
isters, 78 

*' Place Vendome", La, monument, . . 349 
Pledge to raise children Roman Catho- 
lics, 18 

Plowing in England, 1839, 344 

Police of London, . 343 

Policy of French Government, 27 

Polygamy, 370 

Pope, Nathaniel, delegate to Congress, 106 

Population of Illinois, 1 805, 48 

increase of, 1805-9, 61 

in 1810, 64, 65, 152, 383 

Power of the press, 289 

Practice Act, 1827, , 176 

Prairies, 16 

" Praying Indians", slaughter of, ... . i 

Pre-emption law, 156, 316 

Preparations for war, 1 81 3, 91 

Presbyterian Society, 127 

minister's objections to serve on 

jury, 127 

churches, census, 128 

President Jackson's message relating 

to Black- Hawk war, 268 

new Cabinet, 2 

ridiculed by Whigs, 289 

attempt to murder, 305 

reasons of man who attempted it, 306 
similar cases in Eng. and France, 306 
President's increase of power and pat- 
ronage, 304 

Presidential election, 1824, 160 

Princeton, 14 

Principles for acting, speaking, and 
writing, as laid down by Mr. 

Randolph, of Roanoke, 309 

of true religion, 363 

Products of Illinois, 56, 383 

south interior, 152 

Professional men in Illinois Territory, 128 

names of, 131 

Proscription for opinion's sake, 185, 202, 304 

Public debt to U. S., 146 

journals, 3^1 

offices, why to hold or not, 190 

Punishment of criminals, 1 72 

Quartermasters of brigade, 1832, .... 224 
Quarter race, 79 

Racoon River, named from animals, 54 

Rafting rivers, 15 

Railroad first in U. S., 322 

from Bluff to Mississippi, 321 



PAGE 

first in Mississippi Valley 322 

second in Illinois, 322 

Illinois Central, ; 322 

from Springfield to Illinois River 
sold, 325 

Liverpool to London, 335 

Railroads of Illinois, where running, 323 
Rangers inspected by Maj. Clempson, 94 

organized by Captain W. White- 
side, 91 

pursue Indians and kill them, ... 98 
Ranging on Shoal and Silver Creeks, 93 

Rasle, Sebastian, butchered, 2 

Rawlings, General, obtained loan for 

canal, 331 

sailed for Liverpool with Author, 332 
Reading necessary to keep up with the 

times, 315 

Receipts and expenses of State Treasu- 
ry for two years, 272 

Reconnoitering, 88 

Rector, Captain S., bravery, .... 100, 102 

Red River, 14 

Regiment discharged, 243 

Regulars too slow to follow Indians, 251 

Regulators and moderators, 113 

Religion, early, in Illinois 1 16 

Renault, Philip Francis, 20, 27, 28 

Removals from office, 303 

opinions on subject, 303 

discussion at Capitol, decision, . . 304 
Republicans and Federal parties, old 

versus young men, 134 

Repudiation not dreamed of, 325 

Resolution to recommend Andrew 

Jackson for President, 176 

Return from fight, 89 

hom#of army in November, .... 96 
Revolutionary proceedings in Legisla- 
ture, 153 

Reynolds, Author's family, 2 

mode of life, etc. , 3 

Ridge Prairie, now Madison County, 45 

Rifles, prices of, 18 12, 82 

Rigdon, Sydney, founder of Mormons, 360 

Riot at Alton, 317 

Riots with Mormons in Missouri, .... 364 

Rising from the ranks, 310 

in Great Britain and France, .... 311 

Roads, none on frontier, 229 

Rock Island, volunteers at, 216 

description of, 220 

Rolling gums, 42 

Ruins of Palmyra, Troy, and Babylon, 32 
" Running for the bottle", 41 

Sabbath-day, how to observe, import- 
ance of, 3S 

Sac and Fox Villages, 221 

Salt, 46 

Santa Anna, General, 311 

Santa Fe trade, "2 

San Jacinto, battle of, 1836, 311 



394 



INDEX 



PAGE 

Schools, 58 

School-houses, 46 

Seine River, Paris, 352 

bridge over, . . . . , 352 

Senate, members of, 1832, 269 

of 1840, 290 

Senators of Gen. Assembly, 111., 1828, 180 

Sentinel surprised by Indians, escapes, 240 
Seminary at Rock Spring, now at 

Alton, 125 

Seminole war in Florida, 239 

Session of twenty-five hours, on debate 
of admission of Michigan and 

Arkansas, 313 

Settlers, expediences of, ■ 40 

1 80 1 -2, who and where settled, . . 45 

1803, from Kentucky, 47 

1804-5, 47 

from South Carolina, 48 

Settlements, new, and old increased, . 61 

1S05 — 9, Shawneetown, etc., ... 63 

and their names, 108 

extension of, 1 1 1 

position of, 1818, 40,000, 112 

further extention of, 149 

new, Illinois River and Wabash, 269 

Shawneetown, commenced, 1805-6, .. 63 

commenced, in 1802, 46 

saltworks purchased of Indians, . 47 

Sheep, considerable number raised, . . 43 
Shooting-matches, "in rural districts," 52 

" Shuffling the brogue, " game of, ... . 9 

Slaves, 500 from San Domingo, 28 

numbers of, gradual emancipation, 133 

Slavery in Illinois, how introduced, . . 132 

prevented by ordinance, 132 

or "indentured servants," 133 

prohibition of, discussed, ..#.... 377 

Small circumstances decide events, . . 215 

influence of, 18 

Smith, Joseph, founder of Mormons, . 360 

Prophet, appearance of, 367 

his vision and finding the plates, 361 

at Washington, 367 

claims damages to Mormons in 

Missouri, in city of Far West, 367 
claim rejected through opposition 

of the Missouri Senators, 367 

and his brother Hiram murdered, 369 

Soldiers, experienced, by training, ... 65 

Spies, sent up Rock River for Indians, 229 

Spy-battalion, under Col. J. Dement, 246 

ordered to fort at Kellog's Grove, 246 

want of discipline; Black Hawk 

and warriors surprise them, . . . 248 
retreat in confusion; great loss; 
express sent for help; 100 miles 

in 12 hours, 249 

Springfield, first State Fair held at, . . 383 

State Government removed to, . . 137 

Squatters, on the Government lands, . 46 

at Galena lead mines in 1823, ... 168 

Stag-dances, with early settlers, 52 



PAGE 

Stampede of horses. Fort Winnebago, 254 

State Bank, on credit of the State, . . 143 

Bill for it vetoed, and passed by 

constitutional majority, 143 

closed up by loan of $100,000, . . 144 

indicted and acquitted, 173 

paper funded by act of Legislature, 203 
prolific source of legislation for 

10 years, 143 

State debt $8,000,000, in 1836, 324 

debt increased $800,000, 324 

for canal and other improvements, 

$14,237,348, 325 

being paid without embarrassment, 326 
fairs established in the West, . . . 382 

appropation for fairs, 382 

" State of Franklin, " 12 

Government organization of, 1818, 133 
line of latitude 42° 30' north, 136, 203 
Statute laws, revised in first Session 

of the General Assembly, .... 136 

laws, revision completed, 180 

" Stay laws" and " Stop laws, " 143 

Steamboats visited St. Louis in 181 7, 112 
Stephenson, county-seat Rock Island, 221 
Sterling, Captain, possession of Fort 

Chartres, in 1765, 30 

died, six months later, 30 

Stillman's march from Dixon, 231 

skirmish, battle, retreat, disorder, 233 

cause of defeat, 234 

Store goods first introduced, 62 

Storm at sea, 358 

Strode, Col., to defend Joe Davis Co., 235 
Stump speeches commenced in 111,, . . 163 

where named and why, 187 

St. Ange de Belle Rive, last French 
commandant, retreated to and 
took possession of St. Louis, . . 30 
St. Cloud, Bonaparte and Blucher, . . 353 
Ste. Geneviere, to obtain permit, .... 18 
St. Laurent, to join southern army, . . 29 
St. Louis, founded by LaClede, 1764, 30 

Missouri, 1800, 57 

St. Paul's Church, London, description, 339 
Summers in Europe cooler than U. S., 344 
Sunday, by Americans and French, . . 50 
schools, in London, 66,000 pupils, 339 
in Paris, business, dancing etc., . 355 
Sympathy with Mormons, 366 

" Talk " addressed to Indians, 230 

Traver, M., of St. Louis, editor, .... 280 
bust presented to the Mercantile 

Library, 281 

Taylor, Col. Z., hero of Buena Vista, 239 

Tennessee, articles of commerce, .... 12 

counties of, 10 

difficulties of commerce, 12 

first Governor of, 12 

independence of, 12 

products of, 13 

schools, few and far between, ... 6 



INDEX. 



395 



-PAGE 

march to the Yellow Banks 226 

supplies delayed, for three days, . 227 
change of route, to Rock River, . 22S 

brigade, officers of, 214, 225 

Volunteers, appeal to, by Author, and 

General Atkinson, 240 

as inlantry, under Major Long, . . 225 
call for, 1832, hostile Indians, . . 224 
2000 on Author's responsibility, . 235 

4000 additional, at Dixon, 239 

disbanded, home in good order, . 220 
discharged at Ottawa, May, 1832, 239 
dissatistied, without provisions, . 236 
levy of extra, at least 5000, .... 225 
more efficatious than the regulars, 211 
organization of, properly oflicered, 212 

Walker, Geo. E., managed Indians, . 328 
respected and honored by Indians, 329 

avoids hanging an Indian, 329 

takes in a green young clergyman, 330 
Washington, beauty and splendor of, 287 
Washington's residence, on Potomac, 314 
Webster, Hon. Daniel, and family sail 

for Europe with the Author, . . 332 

Wellington, Lord, old and feeble, . . _. 343 

I'Vesicni Journal and Civilian, S.Louis,28l 

Valley, the, once a gi-eat lake, . . 25 

wUhWi^nneiDlgos7i'n'i~832, .'.7.'. 267 1 Westminster Abbey, in London, .... 339 

Tricks of canvassing, 189 West Point Mditary Academy, . . 310 

Trials for murder, 138 Whig and Democratic Parties, 1828 79 

proscription, Gov. Kinney, . 185, 190 

principles and policy, 294 

White, Gen., laid off Knoxville,i79i, 12 
Whitewater, soldier shot by Indian, at, 25 1 
Wild animals, food for, in abundance, 55 

fowl, order of flying, 55 

game, numerous in poineer times, 54 
Wilderness in the West, in iSoo, ... 24 
Windsor Castle, was built by William 

the Conqueror, in nth century, 356 

Winnebago, language and nation, . . . 267 

war, Indians drink with boatmen, 177 

Wisconsin Bluffs, battle at the, 260 

defeat of the Indians, 261 

American act brave parts, 261 

Wolf-pen, how constructed, 124 

Wood found 57 feet below the surface, 25 
Work of congressmen very laborious, 

and must read incessantly, 3^5 

Working trolics, common, 53 



PAGE 

territorial government, 12 

Tenure of land, 46 

Territory of Illinois established, 1809, 104 
Territories of Michigan and Arkansas 
seek admission to Union, 1836, 

opposition, and cause of, 312 

Texas, first settlement of, 311 

independent government, 1836, . 311 
admitted to the Union, 1845, ... 31 1 

Thames tunnel, London, 33S 

"The Lone Star," 312 

"The Old Broad Horn," 41 

"The Venemous Worm," 279 

Tide water, joke on Author, 314 

Timber, fine, in Southern Illinois, ... 26 
Tippecanoe, battle of, Nov. 7, 181 1, . 78 

Titles to land, settled, 156 

Tornado, part of Illinois, June 5, 1805, 107 
Torpedo experiments, Potomac, 1842, 313 

Tower of London, 34^ 

contents, use, gates, etc., 341 

Towns of England and the Continent, 346 

Tradeau, Governor, of Louisiana, ... 36 

Traditions of Indians at Sac Village, . 221 

Treaties, with Indians, Sac and Fox, . 206 

with Black Hawk and 27 Chiefs, 2i8 

" corn treaty, " food instead of lead, 220 

Wayne's, with Cherokees, I795»- 3 



criticisms upon, 14° 

intemperence, cause of, 141 

hanging Green, exhumed, etc., . . 141 

Troops, fresh volunteers, Beardstown, 244 
organized, officers elected, ...... 245 

march from Virginia to Chicago 

in 10 days, 252 

guarding frontier, disbanded, . . . 266 

Tumuli, in Dorsetshire, England, ... 339 

Vandalia, government removed to, . . 137 
Vincennes, seat of government, ... 24, 28 
Visiting and correspondence necessary 

for members of congress, 316 

Vote of army to advance or return. 
Gen. Whiteside refused to ad- 
vance on the Indians, 238 

Volney's invocation to the tombs, ... 32 
Volunteer army swims Henderson 

River, 40 or 50 yards wide, . . . 226 



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